For the past 3 editions of the African Cross Country Championships, Kenya has had a clean sweep of the championship medals and 2014 event held at Kololo Ceremonial independence grounds was no different.

World cross-country silver medalist Leonard Barsoton (Kenya) left the crowd awed particularly with his powerful kick as he finished the 12 km senior’s men race in 34 minutes, 26 seconds and 12 microseconds in the relatively hot afternoon temperatures of Kampala.

He was followed by team-mates Cornelius Kangongo, Cherop Rono, Solomon Yego, Phillip Kiprono before the sequence being broken by the first Ugandan finisher Moses Kibet in sixth position.

For all the event’s categories ranging from the juniors to the seniors events of either genders, team Kenya won dominated the gold, silver and medal brackets.

Hosts Uganda failed to reach the podium for any individual medal but scooped Silver in senior men’s catergory as two bronze from the women’s juniors and seniors categories.

Focus now shifts to the world University cross country championships that will be held at Entebbe Golf course this coming Sunday (23rd March 2014).

Winners 

12km (senior men) 

L. Barsoton (Kenya) 34:26.12 

8km (junior men) 

M. Letoyie (Kenya) 22:36.60 

8km (senior women) 

F. Kipyegon (Kenya) 25:33.02 

6km (junior women) 

A. Tirop (Kenya) 18:50.74 

4km Corporate race 

Mathew Andama (Aqua Sipi) 

Team Results 

Senior men 

Kenya (Gold) Uganda (Silver) Ethiopia (Bronze)

Junior men 

Kenya (G) Eritrea (S) Ethiopia (B)

Senior women 

Kenya (G) Ethiopia (S) Uganda (B)

Junior women 

Kenya (G) Ethiopia (S) Uganda (B)

David Isabirye is a senior staff writer for Kawowo Sports where he covers most of the major events.

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