News Archive

News Archive

IAAF.org: Kipchoge wins cross country in Kenya and intends to beat Bekele in World Championships

The sixth and final Athletics Kenya cross country weekend meeting of the

2004/05 season lived up to the high quality predictions, with a fine field and

some superb performances early today.

Staged at the unfamiliar venue of the Muslim Centre course on the

Eldoret-Kaptagat road against the backdrop of rustling trees on a sunny

Saturday morning, the event attracted two medallists from last summer’s

Athens Olympics who lived up to their reputations.

Eliud Kipchoge, the World 5000m champion and the bronze medallist in Athens,

strode to victory in the senior mens short course race (4km) after posting

12:19. Just behind, a second down, came former World Youth 1500m champion Isaac

Songok, and Brimin Kipruto, the winner of the Olympic silver medal in the 3000m

Steeplechase in Athens was another five seconds adrift (12:25) in third.

Augustine Choge, the World Junior 5000m champion, was fourth in 12:34.

"This was my first race on the local circuit this season and I am happy

with my form. We are now planning to defeat Kenenisa Bekele in France.