Janeth Chepng'etich Shifts Focus to Track and Cross Country Races

In Summary She said she will gauge her recovery before deciding whether she will participate in the 2026 Absa Sirikiwa Cross Country to be held at Lobo Village on February 14th. After clinching the men’s race, Michael Saoli said he has now set his sights on the Mountain Running World Cup and the Golden Trail Series races, which kick off in April. Audio By Vocalize After successfully defending her title at the Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain Run, Janeth Chepng’etich says her focus will now shift to the track and field season. Dubbed the woman of all surfaces, Chepng’etich ruled out a full transition to mountain running, saying the race was part of her season build-up. “This is a very good race for starting the season. I used it as a build-up,” said Chepng’etich, who competes in events ranging from 1,500m to 10,000m, as well as cross country and road races. Chepng’etich owns personal bests of 1:05:15 in the half marathon and 30:04.97 in the 10,000m. She said she will assess her recovery before deciding whether to compete at the 2026 Absa Sirikwa Cross Country Championships, scheduled for February 14 at Lobo Village. “It’s a busy season. I want to qualify for both the All-Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games. I will also run a few road races, subject to discussions with my manager,” she said. During the fifth edition of the 20km Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain Run, held on Saturday at Lion Hills Farm in Nandi County, Chepng’etich clocked 1:10:13 to win the race. She beat her sister-in-law and training partner Damaris Chepkemoi (1:11:13) into second place, while Caroline Jepkoech finished third in 1:12:49. World Mountain and Trail Running Championships silver medallist Ruth Mwihaki placed fourth in 1:12:04, while former silver medallist Philaries Kisang finished sixth in 1:15:25. Top-ranked Kenyan mountain runner Valentine Jepkoech was seventh in 1:16:08. In the men’s race, Michael Saoli emerged victorious, clocking 59:44, and immediately turned his attention to international competition. “I didn’t expect to win because of the strong field, but I’m happy with the result,” said Saoli, who now targets the Mountain Running World Cup and Golden Trail Series, which begin in April. The Meru University Mountain Run champion, who finished sixth at last year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain, was followed by former champion Fredrick Domongole and world bronze medallist Paul Machoka, both timing 1:00:53. World champion and two-time World Cup winner Philemon Kiriago finished 11th. In the newly introduced women’s 8km race, Zennah Chemutai claimed victory in 23:02, while Emmanuel Kipchirchir won the men’s race in 18:14. Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei praised the organisers and called for increased corporate sponsorship of mountain running. “We need more mountain running races, especially in a year without the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships,” said Tuwei. ADVERTISEMENT