Kenya dominated the Cardiff Cross Challenge on Saturday (8), as World 5000m finalist Mathew Kipsang and rising star Cynthia Chepkirui claimed victory at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting held at Llandaff Fields.
In the men’s 9.6km race, Kipsang produced a perfectly timed finish to secure a hard-fought win in 28:12, leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium.
The 29-year-old outkicked compatriots Victor Kimosop and Stephen Kimutai, who finished second and third respectively, underlining his growing credentials ahead of the international cross-country season.
The race began at a steady pace, with Kipsang joining Kimosop, Kimutai, and Britain’s Zakariya Mahamed in an early breakaway. By the 6km mark, Kipsang had taken control, stretching the field as others began to tire.
A brief surge from Kimosop inside the final kilometre set up a thrilling finish, but Kipsang’s trademark kick secured victory on the home straight. Mahamed finished fourth, narrowly ahead of fellow Briton Jacob Cann.
In the women’s 6.4km event, 17-year-old Cynthia Chepkirui, the African U18 3000m champion, delivered a superb performance to claim her first senior international victory in 20:11.
The Kenyan teenager broke away midway through the race and never looked back, finishing 20 seconds ahead of compatriot Sheila Jebet (20:31).
Canada’s Ceili McCabe finished third in 20:34, while defending champion Megan Keith of Britain had to settle for fourth after a mid-race shoe mishap.
Chepkirui’s commanding run capped a dominant day for Kenya, with both senior races producing all-Kenyan top-two finishes.
Leading Results
Women (6.4km)
- Cynthia Chepkirui (KEN) – 20:11
- Sheila Jebet (KEN) – 20:31
- Ceili McCabe (CAN) – 20:34
- Megan Keith (GBR) – 20:51
- Poppy Tank (GBR) – 21:09
- Sofia Thogersen (DEN) – 21:15
Men (9.6km)
- Mathew Kipsang (KEN) – 28:12
- Victor Kimosop (KEN) – 28:25
- Stephen Kimutai (KEN) – 28:27
- Zakariya Mahamed (GBR) – 28:28
- Jacob Cann (GBR) – 28:29
- Richard Slade (GBR) – 28:41
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