Kipyeko beats Kipsiro in Cross-country Championships

By James Bakama
 
12km men's race

1. P. Kipyek0 35:01:34
2. M. Kipsiro  35:02:59
3. M. Kibet     35:16:81

Jinja - Phillip Kipyeko announced his arrival in the seniors with one of the biggest upsets of the National Cross-country Championships.

The Police Athletics Club athlete, who until Friday was running as a junior, beat men's favourite Moses Kipsiro to emerge champion of the 12 kilometer race in Jinja.

The World Mountain Running junior champion stopped Kipsiro's dominance of the annual event with a strong sprint in the final 100 meters.

The duo had battled shoulder-to-shoulder in the last four kilometers. PHOTO/Ssentongo Mpalanyi

The duo had battled shoulder-to-shoulder in the last four kilometers of a race that had in the earlier stages had Benjamin Kiplagat setting the pace.

"I didn't know that I could beat Kipsiro, more so on my debut as senior. But thank God the hard work I put in has paid off," Kipyeko,20, said after sprinting to the finish at the Chairman's Park.

His plans are now on the World Cross-country in China next month.

"I will go back and train even more harder. A medal at this level has always been my dream."

Kipsiro, who had hinted on running his last cross-country, was gracious in defeat. "He was the better athlete. It is good for athletics to have competition."

He appealed to Uganda Athletics Federation to use the event as a rehearsal for the 2017 World Cross-county at Kololo.

"Team Uganda should prepare well so that we emerge as overall champion."

There was a change in program this time as the senior races were run first. The men's event, which is normally the last event, was this time staged first.