by Larry Eder
The senior womens’ race was five laps of the 2000 meter course. The hot, humid conditions affected all in the field. But, the truth is, we witnessed one of the most dominating performances in World Cross Country history. Kenyan women went 1-6 in Kampala, and the performances of the Kenyan women mimicked their Kenyan Trials performances. Irene Cheptai, Lilian Kasait, Faith Kipyegon and Alice Aprot lead in a pack of four. Agnes Tirop and Hyvin Kiyeng were the chase pack. The race did not vary much over the laps, until 500 meters, when, Irene Cheptai made the rush for the win, and held on for the victory, running 31:57. Alice Aprot took the silver, running 32:01 and Lilian Kasait finished in bronze, running 32:11. Kenyan women went 1-6, scoring TEN! Ethiopia was second in 45, Bahrain was third in 59. In fourth was Uganda at 68, and in fifth was the United States in 90.
US women fared quite well, with Aliphine Tuliamuk in 15th, Stephanie Bruce in 22, Natosha Rogers, 23, Sarah Pagano, 30, Elaine Balouris, 48, and Emily Pritt, 74. Fine performances by US senior women!
The truth is this. For decades, running media have spoken wistfully about the Kenyan male athletes, and how dominant they are, and that is true. Although now, there is some competition nd that is good! It is my contention, that Kenyan women may be superior in talent to the men. The womens’ cross country team was comprised in Kampala of the finest runners in the country of Kenya. Those runners went to the front, and raced to their limits. And for us, track fans, it was, a thing of beauty.
