Kenyan Mountain Running Championships

The Kenyan Mountain Running Championships took place last weekend, with top runners from all over the country travelling to compete. Many athletes were recent converts to mountain running, which is growing in Kenya.

 The championships took part at Navasha and the routes certainly weren't easy. Runners took on Mount Longonot on a steep and tough course, finishing in Kenton at 2685m. Senior men took on a 10k route and senior women and junior men an 8k route.

Francisca Kanda emerged victorious in the women's race in 48.11. Beatric Cheserek was second and Judith Korir third. See the top 10 results.

In the men's race Patrick Kipngeno took the win in 50.37. Titus Kimutai was second and Michael Kamau in third. See the top 10 results.

In the junior men's race Emmanuel Maru won in 37.19, followed by Matthew Rutto in second and Henry Mwangi third. See the top 10 results.

300 athletes in total took part, and the sport is certainly growing in Kenya. Many athletes taking part were newer to the sport and Athletics Kenya anticipate that more athletes will go on to represent the country in international mountain running competitions.

Photo by Erick Barasa