Maureen Chebor has set her sights firmly on earning a place in Team Kenya for the 2025 World Cross Country Championships in Florida after defending her Machakos Cross Country title in commanding fashion.
Competing at the Machakos Teacher’s Training College during the opening leg of the Athletics Kenya Cross Country circuit, Chebor broke away from a strong field to secure victory in 30:38. She finished ahead of 2015 World U18 2,000m steeplechase silver medallist Sandrafelis Chebet (31:08) and national 5,000m champion Rebecca Mwangi (31:19).
The win marks an improvement from her 2024 performance, where she clocked 36:22.9 to take the crown ahead of Christine Njoki and Esther Kipkech. This year’s race further underlined her growing consistency and confidence, particularly after narrowly missing out on a spot at the Tokyo World Championships in the 5,000m despite setting a personal best of 14:50.68 during the trials.
“My journey to Tokyo is over, but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made,” Chebor said. “Now my focus is on Florida. All I have to do is be patient, train well, and prepare for the track season after that.”
The men’s 10km event produced a nail-biting finish, with Japan-based Gideon Ronoh unleashing a decisive late surge to edge out 2024 Africa Cross Country champion Vincent Langat. Ronoh clocked 28:12, while Langat crossed in 28:19 and national 10,000m champion Silas Senchura was third in 28:20.
“The chilly conditions made the race tough, but I endured,” Ronoh said. “Now, my focus is also on securing a place in Team Kenya for Florida.”
In the U20 women’s race, national 5,000m runner-up Cynthia Chepkurui led a South Rift sweep, winning in 18:55 ahead of Africa U20 3,000m bronze medallist Joyline Chepkemoi (19:00) and Jane Wangari (19:03). The U20 men’s 8km was a tightly contested battle, with Festus Kimorwo Kaptum (21:53) narrowly beating South Rift’s Ronald Ngetich (21:54) and Chepsaita U20 champion Kelvin Kiprop (21:56).
The Athletics Kenya Cross Country circuit now shifts to Kapsokwony for its second leg on September 6, where more athletes will look to stake their claim for a coveted Florida ticket.
