(01/01/2006)

Unfancied Kenyan newcomer Edwin Soi surged away at the last lap to beat the 2002 Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Sammy Kipketer at the fifth Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country meeting at Kabarak University.

The 19-year-old high school dropout, hardly known even within the East African country, won the senior men's 12km race in 33:59 in a race flagged off by the former Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi.

Kipketer finished second in 34:10 with Mike Kigen third in 34:16.

World 8km cross country champion Augustine Choge also overcame strong challenge from world 4km bronze medallist Isaac Songok to win the men's 4km race.

Choge returned 10:34.2 with Songok second in 10:34.3. James Cheruiyot settled for the third place in 10:35.1.

Choge said his main aim now is to make sure he gets a slot in the track team that will represent Kenya at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March.

Former world 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio was beaten in the senior women’s 8km by Mercy Kosgei who clocked 12:18.4. Barsosio finished in 12:28.8 while Naomi Kemboi was third in 12:18.4.

Mercy wanjiru returned 26:06.3 to win the women's 4km race ahead of Doris Chengeiywo who was second in 26:12.0 with Monica Wangare third in 26:36.1.

Results from the 1st Athletics Kenya Cross Country Meeting at the Methodist University - Meru.