Kisii duo shine at KUSF cross country trials to book Italy tickets
Kisii University students Isaya Kiriago and Faith Chebet braved scorching conditions to claim top honours at the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) National Cross Country Trials held on Saturday at the South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) grounds in Kitui County.
Chebet stole the spotlight with a remarkable double victory, winning both the women’s 10km race and the 2km loop, as KUSF used the trials to select athletes for the FISU World Universities Cross Country Championships set for March 14–15 in Cassino, Italy.
Driven by her ambition to earn a maiden national team call-up, Chebet said her consistent training at Kisii University and in Iten had paid off.
“I have been training well to ensure I win this title and earn a slot to Italy. I have never travelled with the national team before, and this gives me a great opportunity,” said Chebet.
“At the same time, I am in a town hall camp where I am training to earn a scholarship to study and run in the USA.”
Chebet clocked 38:37.29 to win the women’s 10km ahead of Virginia Rubia of Dedan Kimathi University, who finished second in 40:17.47, while Gomeri Chebet of the University of Eldoret placed third in 43:31.87.
In the men’s race, Kiriago continued his impressive run of form, winning the 10km title in 30:55.48. Evanson Kipkirui of Maseno University finished second in 31:48.39, while Enock Masai of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology placed third in 32:36.59, with all three booking provisional slots to Italy.
Less than a month after sweeping the 5,000m and 10,000m titles at a track meet in Eldoret, the reigning Ultra Trail 23km Mountain Run champion from South Africa said his mountain-running background gave him an edge.
“I am used to competing in the mountains, and coming to this flat course, despite the hot sun, it felt easy for me. That is why it was an easy win,” said Kiriago, who hopes to pursue mountain running professionally.
KUSF president Alfred Kibet Rono said the federation is committed to ensuring the students compete on the global stage.
“We have given the students a great chance to earn slots to Italy. The technical team will select the best team based on records, including today’s results,” said Rono.
Rono added that the final team will include athletes based in Kenya as well as students from the USA and Japan, making up 18 athletes and six officials.
“We are also appealing to the Ministry of Sports to support these students so they can represent the country at the world championships,” he said.
