Back-to-back AK Cross-country winner Maureen Jepkoech reveals what aided her success at senior level

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Back-to-back AK Cross-country winner Maureen Jepkoech reveals what aided her success at senior level

Stephen Awino 05:00 - 28.10.2024

Jepkoech on Saturday clinched her second Cross-country victory at Kapsokwony Secondary school having already won the first leg in Machakos Teachers College last weekend.

Back-to-back Machakos and Kapsokwony cross-country winner Maurine Jepkoech is quickly emerging as a force in the senior athletics scene.

Her recent victory at Kapsokwony Secondary School, clocking an impressive 34:05.87, marked her second cross-country triumph in two weeks.

Jepkoech had previously taken top honors at the season’s first cross-country event at Machakos Teachers College, showcasing her consistency and rising dominance.

The 20-year-old athlete delivered a carefully orchestrated strategy in the women’s senior race during the second Athletics Kenya Cross Country meet on Saturday.

Throughout much of the course, Jepkoech stayed close to the experienced Catherine Reline, who set the pace. But as they neared the finish line, Jepkoech surged ahead, outsmarting Reline to claim victory as Delvine Relin Meringor completed the podium, finishing in third place.

Jepkoech credits her recent success to the rigorous training and lessons gained from her junior-level experiences.

“The much I have achieved so far is because of the lessons I acquired in my stint in the juniors,” she explained via Athletics Kenya.

“I only started running in the senior ranks this year. I have been working very hard through it all and putting into practice everything learnt from my coach.”

The win in Kapsokwony is her fourth major victory this year, adding to her impressive performances abroad.

Earlier in the year, she won the Seven Hills 5km road race in Nijmegen, Netherlands, clocking 15:16, and then followed it with a victory in the Wurzburger 10km in Germany, finishing at 32:09.

With the next leg of the cross-country series set for Bomet on November 2, Jepkoech has her eyes on another victory.

She’s also looking forward to several international competitions next year, including the World Championships in Tokyo.

However, Jepkoech is staying cautious, waiting on guidance from her coach before confirming her participation in upcoming events.

“I wouldn’t know as per now,” she said, referencing to her next race. “I’ll wait to hear what the coach will say… whether we will be competing in Iten or Bomet.”