17-year-old Charity Cherop and Kenneth Kiprop Triumphs at Cardiff Cross Country Race

World Under-20 5000 meters bronze medalist Kenneth Kiprop of Uganda successfully defended his title at the Cardiff Cross Challenge, marking the third leg of this season’s World Cross Country Gold Tour.

In a thrilling climax, Kiprop narrowly outpaced Vincent Mutai of Kenya during the final stages of the 9600 meters senior race.

Zak Mahamed of Great Britain initially led a nine-man front group in the early segments of the race. Following closely, Niels Laros from the Netherlands, who placed sixth in the 1500 meters at the Paris Olympic Games, spearheaded the chase pack. Kiprop then took command, increasing the tempo at the forefront. Mutai made a significant push at the end of the first lap, with five contenders aligning behind him.

As the race progressed, Kiprop and Dan Kibet distanced themselves with 23 minutes elapsed in the second lap. The intense duel continued as Kiprop and Mutai separated from Kibet, clashing fiercely around the final bend. Kiprop unleashed a powerful sprint on the final stretch to secure victory in 27:06, edging out Mutai by two seconds. Kibet claimed third place with a time of 27:15, ahead of Burundi’s Celestin Ndikumana (27:19) and Emile Hafashimana (27:21).

Women’s Race:

In the women’s category, 17-year-old Charity Cherop of Kenya clinched the title in 20:15, narrowly defeating her compatriot Sheila Jebet by a mere second.

Jebet made a late surge, but Cherop, a world under-20 5000 meters bronze medalist, accelerated to maintain her lead. Cherop had previously secured fourth place in the under-20 race at the 2022 World Under-20 Cross Country Championships in Belgrade.

Cherop was initially among an 11-athlete leading pack that formed six minutes into the race. Kate Axford, Izzy Fry, and Carl Hughes were prominent at the front until Cherop advanced to lead a quartet at the lap’s conclusion.

With 1500 meters remaining, Cherop extended her lead decisively. Jebet managed to overtake Axford in the final minute and pulled ahead of the British runner. Despite Jebet’s vigorous final effort, Cherop held strong to finish first in 20:15. Axford secured the third spot in 20:21, narrowly holding off Carl Hughes (20:25).

European under-20 champions Innes FitzGerald and Will Rabjohns triumphed in the junior categories.