Njoki Retains Title as Kiplagat Wins at 35th Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships

ATHLETICS JAMES KOECH

Mariam Njoki Lufti, formerly Christine Njoki, successfully defended her title at the 35th Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships after claiming victory in the 8km senior women’s race at Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday. Now representing Qatar, Njoki crossed the finish line in 28:02.8, holding off Diana Cheroben (28:27.0) and Immaculate Jepkosgei (28:56.6), who finished second and third respectively. Njoki said defending her title was her main objective, especially after missing the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, USA, due to her recent change of nationality. “My goal was to defend my title and I achieved it through discipline and consistency. The field was strong, so I prepared well,” said Njoki, who trains in Iten. She added that she is still awaiting confirmation of her competition programme following the nationality switch. Cheroben, who is moving up from the 1,500m, said she was encouraged by her performance. “It was my first time competing here and my preparation went well. This season, I plan to focus more on the 5,000m,” she said. In the 10km senior men’s race, Kelvin Kiplagat denied Cornelius Kemboi a third consecutive title after winning in 31:25.7, with Kemboi finishing second in 31:30.0. Kiplagat, who trains at Sinonin Training Camp in Baringo County under coach Barnaba Kitilit, credited his win to solid preparation. “The race was tough, but our training gave me confidence. The competition was very strong,” he said. Kemboi noted that the race was part of his early-season build-up ahead of major international competitions. In the junior categories, Venenza Chebet claimed the 6km under-20 women’s title in 21:33.1, while Nicholas Ktum Losiwareng, the Africa under-20 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, won the 8km under-20 men’s race in 25:38.8. The championships once again showcased Kenya’s depth of talent, blending established stars with emerging athletes preparing for future international success.
Kelvin Kiplagat winning senior men 10km at Discovery Kenya cross country in Eldoret 

Mariam Njoki Lufti, formerly Christine Njoki, successfully defended her title at the 35th Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships after claiming victory in the 8km senior women’s race at Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday.


Now representing Qatar, Njoki crossed the finish line in 28:02.8, holding off Diana Cheroben (28:27.0) and Immaculate Jepkosgei (28:56.6), who finished second and third respectively.


Njoki said defending her title was her main objective, especially after missing the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, USA, due to her recent change of nationality.


“My goal was to defend my title and I achieved it through discipline and consistency. The field was strong, so I prepared well,” said Njoki, who trains in Iten.


She added that she is still awaiting confirmation of her competition programme following the nationality switch.

Lofti Njoki cuts the tape to win 8km senior women, Discovery Kenya cross country in Eldoret 


Cheroben, who is moving up from the 1,500m, said she was encouraged by her performance.


“It was my first time competing here and my preparation went well. This season, I plan to focus more on the 5,000m,” she said.


In the 10km senior men’s race, Kelvin Kiplagat denied Cornelius Kemboi a third consecutive title after winning in 31:25.7, with Kemboi finishing second in 31:30.0.


Kiplagat, who trains at Sinonin Training Camp in Baringo County under coach Barnaba Kitilit, credited his win to solid preparation.


“The race was tough, but our training gave me confidence. The competition was very strong,” he said.


Kemboi noted that the race was part of his early-season build-up ahead of major international competitions.


In the junior categories, Venenza Chebet claimed the 6km under-20 women’s title in 21:33.1, while Nicholas Ktum Losiwareng, the Africa under-20 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, won the 8km under-20 men’s race in 25:38.8.


The championships once again showcased Kenya’s depth of talent, blending established stars with emerging athletes preparing for future international success.

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