The 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu and world 10,000m and 5,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet will spearhead Kenya’s quest for global dominance at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida.
On Saturday, the Eldoret Sports Club roared to life as the country’s finest endurance warriors tackled the unforgiving terrain, all chasing coveted slots in Team Kenya to Florida.
From the fiercely contested showdown, the top six athletes in each race punched their tickets to the global stage.
Simiu underlined his class yet again, defending his national title in commanding fashion, stopping the clock at 30:11, a second clear of Kevin Chesang (30:12) and Denis Kemboi (30:13).
Shadrack Koech (30:14), Weldon Langat (30:21), and Robert Koech (30:25) sealed the remaining team berths.
The win marked Simiu’s second national cross country crown this year, having lifted the February edition in 30:48.
What Simiu said after winning in Eldoret
Brimming with pride, Simiu reaffirmed his commitment to the Kenyan colours.
“If called upon, I have no compromise. My country is more important than anything else and I am happy to represent Kenya,” he said.
“Cross country is in my blood and veins, and I am proud to run for the flag.”
The Olympian revealed he was not initially planning to compete, citing fatigue from the Chicago Marathon, where he clocked 2:07:52 to finish 13th on only his third attempt at the 42km distance.
“I was not planning to run because I was fatigued after Chicago,” he admitted.
“But when my employer, NPS, requested me, I decided to come and give it my all.”
He credited his coach for guiding him through a tactical masterpiece.
“My coach told me this race was mine, and I believed it. Now it’s back to the drawing board as we fine-tune for Florida.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s contest, Maurine Chebor produced a sparkling performance to claim the national title in 34:16, fending off Brenda Jepchumba (34:19) and Glorious Jepkirui (34:26).
Lilian Kasait (34:30) and Rebecca Mwangi (34:38) completed the team’s top finishers.
The five will join defending world champion Beatrice Chebet and world 10K record holder Agnes Ng’etich in the star-studded lineup bound for Florida.
Chebor, who upgraded from her runner-up finish in February, was overjoyed with her breakthrough victory.
“I thank God for this win and good health. The race was very competitive, but I pushed myself all the way,” she said.
