Uganda’s Keneth Kiprop retained his title at the Cardiff Cross Challenge on Saturday, while fellow Ugandan Charity Cherop emerged victorious in a hard-fought women’s race, narrowly beating Kenya’s Sheila Jebet. This race served as the third event in the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold series for the season.
Kiprop, a 19-year-old world U20 5000m bronze medalist, once again demonstrated his strong finishing power in the senior men’s 9600m race. In a near replica of last year’s showdown, Kiprop outpaced Kenya’s Vincent Mutai in the final stretch, securing his win as Mutai struggled to match his burst of speed. Kiprop crossed the finish line unchallenged, celebrating his successful title defense.
The senior women’s 6400m race saw 17-year-old Cherop lead for much of the event. Though Jebet made a last-minute push, Cherop was able to respond and finish just one second ahead, clocking a time of 20:15.
Jebet, who placed fourth in the U20 race at this year’s World Cross Country Championships, finished close behind but couldn’t quite close the gap.
The men’s race started with Britain’s Zak Mahamed setting the early pace and leading a group of nine, while Dutch Olympian Niels Laros stayed in the chase pack. Kiprop took control in the later stages, pushing the pace with Mutai, and the two soon broke away from the rest.
In the last kilometer, Kiprop’s sprint finish secured him victory in 27:06, while Mutai followed two seconds later in 27:08. Uganda’s Dan Kibet placed third, with Burundi’s Celestin Ndikumana and Emile Hafashimana rounding out the top five.
In the women’s race, Cherop remained among the front runners as the field started to thin out. Former GB hockey player Kate Axford and local favorite Cari Hughes were also in contention. Eventually, Cherop moved into the lead, setting a pace that split the field.
With around 1500m remaining, Cherop broke away, pursued by Axford and Fry. Although Jebet launched a late surge to try to close the gap, Cherop held on to win in 20:15, with Jebet crossing in 20:16 and Axford taking third in 20:21.
In the U20 competitions, Britain’s Innes FitzGerald claimed the women’s title, while Will Rabjohns won the men’s race.
RESULTS
Men (9600m)
1 Keneth Kiprop (UGA) 27:06
2 Vincent Mutai (KEN) 27:08
3 Daniel Kibet (UGA) 27:15
4 Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) 27:19
5 Emile Hafashimana (BDI) 27:21
Women (6400m)
1 Charity Cherop (UGA) 20:15
2 Sheila Jebet (KEN) 20:16
3 Kate Axford (GBR) 20:21
4 Cari Hughes (GBR) 20:25
5 Izzy Fry (GBR) 20:30
