Chepkok Takes Honors At Venta De Banos

He finally got a win at the popular Spanish race.

The Kenyan cross-country machine continues to roll throughout Europe. On Sunday, the bronze medalist at the 2012 World Cross Country Championships, Vincent Chepkok, won the 33rd Cross Internacional de Venta de Banos, which is a European permit meeting held annually in Spain.

Conditions were hardly ideal with cold temps and wind slowing the times down.

Chepkok covered the 10.6K course in 35:20.Compatriot Kenneth Kipkemo came in second, while  Antonio Jimenez of Spain was third.

Sunday’s win was Chepkok’s first at the Venta de Banos. He came in second there two years ago.

In the women’s race, 21-year-old Mercy Cherono proved victorious. The 3,000m world junior champion successfully held off  England’s Hannah Walker along the 6.8K course.

Cherono’s finishing time was 24:33, while Walker came in 13 seconds later. Third place went to Eritrea’s Nazaret Weldu (25:07).

Walker’s near win was a triumph in that she only managed a 12th-place showing at last weekend’s European Cross Country Championships when she had been considered to be a pre-race favorite for a medal.

For More: IAAF