Chepso, Lagat crowned champions at inaugural KEMRI Cross Country Championships

Chepso claimed victory in the senior women's 10-kilometre race after clocking 34:47.6, finishing ahead of Naum Chebiwot Kiplagat, who crossed the line in 35:07.5. Faith Chebiwot Ngura completed the podium in third place.

In the senior men's 10-kilometre race, Lagat stormed to victory in 29:49.2, edging out Richard Kibet, who finished second in 29:56.8, while Kipkande Mkulia placed third in 30:02.6.

The championship was organised by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in partnership with Athletics Kenya (AK), the Uasin Gishu County Government, and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

Speaking during the event, KEMRI Acting Director for Research Capacity Building, Dr Martin Bundi, said the championship marked the beginning of closer collaboration between researchers and the athletics community.

"Today we decided to get out of our laboratories and interact with the public through the services we provide in human health research. Sports science is a key area, and through this partnership with Athletics Kenya, the county government and ADAK, we want to strengthen collaboration in areas such as anti-doping and nutrition services, which are critical in supporting our athletes," said Dr. Bundi.

He noted that the competition was the first edition of what KEMRI intends to make an annual event through its Sports Science Research Office in Eldoret, one of the institute's 15 research centres across the country.

"We want to enhance this event in future editions and continue using it as a platform to promote research that directly benefits athletes and the wider community," he added.

Athletics Kenya North Rift Chairman Abraham Mutai said the championship aligns with the federation's strategy of taking athletics closer to local communities through grassroots competitions.

"As you are aware, this year we introduced community athletics events with the aim of interacting more closely with the public. Partnering with KEMRI allows us to engage communities through research while promoting athletics," said Mutai.

He expressed optimism following the successful debut of the event, revealing that plans are already underway to expand the championship beyond Eldoret.

"This inaugural event has started well, and going forward it will become an annual competition. Together with KEMRI, we also hope to make it a travelling event that rotates across different regions of the country because research activities are conducted nationwide," he said.

The championship attracted athletes from across the North Rift region and underscored the growing collaboration between sports and medical research in enhancing athlete performance, improving health and nutrition, and strengthening efforts to combat doping.