World Cross Country Championships bronze medallist Daniel Ebenyo delivered a commanding performance at the Western Region BingwaFest in Mumias on Saturday, January 24, 2026, clinching victories in both the men’s 10,000m and 5,000m races.
Ebenyo powered to victory in the morning 10,000m race, clocking 28:57.1, ahead of Robert Kiprop (29:15.1) and Victor Kipruto (29:16.0). He later completed an impressive double by winning the 5,000m in 13:54.5, beating Amason Kireu (14:09.0) and Dennis Kipkoech (14:10.2).
The double triumph earned Ebenyo a total of KES 550,000, with KES 300,000 awarded for the 10,000m win and KES 250,000 for the 5,000m victory.
Speaking after the races, Ebenyo expressed satisfaction with his performance.
“This was my first time on the track this year, and it was a nice outing. It was also my first time competing at BingwaFest, and I am happy that athletes are now getting more competitions through such events,” he said.
In the women’s 10,000m, Miriam Kibet edged out Caroline Kariba in a tightly contested finish, clocking 33:39.2 against Kariba’s 33:39.5, with Mercy Kipchumba (33:40.1) finishing third.
Teenager Janet Jepkoech enjoyed a standout day, claiming double gold in the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m races to take home KES 400,000. She opened her campaign with victory in the 1,500m, clocking 4:19.2 ahead of Naomi Cherono (4:22.9) and Caroline Kariba (4:24.6). Jepkoech later sealed her double by winning the 5,000m in 16:26.7, with Tabitha Njeri (16:29.6) and Mercy Chepkemoi (16:30.4) finishing second and third.
“My target was to finish in the top three, but my body was responding well, so I pushed for the win. I am very happy to have won two races in my first attempt at BingwaFest,” Jepkoech said.
In the men’s 1,500m, Ricky Kipchumba won in 3:48.3, narrowly ahead of Julius Bayang (3:48.4) and Brian Kiptoo (3:49.9).
Emily Jerop claimed the women’s 800m title in 2:09.2, while Noah Kibet won the men’s race in 1:49.4.
The women’s 400m was won by Sylvia Chesebe (56.6), while Joshua Wanyonyi took top honours in the men’s race. Sprint victories went to Richard Ogutu in the men’s 100m (10.5) and Brenda Masitsa in the women’s race (12.0).
In the relays, Blaze won the women’s 4x100m, while Utawala A took the men’s title. Eldoret claimed victory in the men’s 4x400m, with Blaze also winning the women’s event.
Attention now shifts to the Coast Region BingwaFest, scheduled to take place in Diani in February.
