Rotich, Chesang take Mountain titles

By Norman Katende in Kapchorwa

Daniel Rotich and Police’s Stella Chesang took the national Mountain road running titles in a competitive race that was held at the Kapchorwa high lands over the weekend.

The race was organised to select the national stars, that will represent the country at the World Mountain Running Championships on September 13 in Italy.

Chesang took the day after escaping from her team mates, Doreen Chemutai and Marceline Chelangat  with about 2km of the 7.5km remaining to win the top prize of sh120,000.

The top ten in both the men and women got cash prizes in the event that  saw 47 women and 142 men start in their respective races.

Arua’s Dorcus Chesang was the only foreigner in the top five, after finishing fourth with  another Police athlete  Patricia Chekwemboi finishing fifth.

Some of the athletes at  national mountain road running championship. PHOTO: Norman Katende

But it was the men’s competition that was more competitive despite world defending champion Philip Kiplimo watching it from the lead vehicle and Geoffrey Kusuro opting out.

The duo had been competing in different international road races and had not had enough rest for them to be able to compete in the national event.

Women 7.5km

1 Stella Chesang (Police) 26:20.9
2 Doreen Chemutai (Police) 26:32.6
3 Marceline Chelangat (Police) 27:08.8
4 Dorcus Chesang (Arua) 27:13.7
5 Patricia Chekwemboi (Police) 2:48.3
6 Agnes Chelangat (Arua) 28:12.86

Men 12km

1 Daniel Rotich (Standard) 36:25.7
2 Kibet Soyekwo (Police) 36:44.13
3 Nathan Ayeko (Police) 37:15.5
4 Joshua Mongusho (Police) 37:25.2
5 Isaac Kiprop (Police) 37:30.6
6 Fred Musopa (Sipi) 37:32.5
7 Alex Cherop (Police) 37:35.5