Kenyans Kibet and Chepngetich Dominate in Brussels

Published by the IAAF on December 21, 2014

The Iris Lotto CrossCup was marked by two thrilling duels between two Kenyan athletes. Alex Kibet won a fierce battle against his compatriot Abraham Kapsis Kipyatich while 19-year-old Sheila Chepngetich Keter triumphed over Commonwealth 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon at the IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting in Brussels on Sunday (21).

Kibet on a quest to compete in Guaying

The men’s race was winding up when Kibet, 21-year-old Kipyatich and Bahrain’s Albert Rop suddenly went to the front and pulled the field apart. James Rungaru and Dickson Kurui, two other Kenyans, joined the leaders and a group of five athletes took command of the race.

Kipyatich ratcheted up the pace and Kibet was the only athlete able to keep up with him. Rop and Rungaru formed the next couple in places three and four, while Kurui dropped back and Dame Tasama, an Ethiopian resident in Belgium, moved up to fifth place.

Kipyatich and Kibet were battling in front taking it in turns to lead as the gap ahead of the chase pack continued to open up under the continuous pressure. But ultimately Kibet proved to be the stronger athlete as he made a tactical decisive effort up the final uphill section with about 500 metres remaining. He opened up a 50-metre lead and maintained that advantage until the finish line.