Kenyans Oloitiptip, Cherono emerge TCS World 10K champs

Kenya's Alex Oloitiptip and Gladys Cherono won the overall men's and women's titles of the Tata Consultancy World 10K Bangalore 2013, which concluded at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here today.
Suresh K Patel and Sudha Singh emerged winners among the men and women in the Indian category, finishing overall 20th and 14th respectively.
Dehradun-based Patel clocked 30.34, way outside the Indian men's course record of 29.59, and was followed home by V L Dangi in 30.53 and Mohd Yunus in 30.58.
Sudha Singh completed a start to finish effort in 35.25, while Preeja Sreedharan, making a comeback after a layoff, took second place in 36.01, followed by O P Jaisha in 36.31. Defending champion Monika Athare was fourth.

The 23-year-old Oloitiptip, not among the pre-race favourites, took pole position early in the race and held off challenges from fellow Kenyan Nicholas Kipkemboi and Ethiopian youngster Brihanu Legese to win in 28.07 minutes.
He was followed home by Kipkemboi in 28.12 and Legese in 28.16.

Current World Cross Country champion Japhet Korir could not live up to pre-race expectations, finishing a disappointing 17th in 29.59, while another fancied Kenyan Moses Masai finished 10th in 29.05 minutes.
"It was fantastic win for me. I had faith in my ability and believed that I could win the run. The first 5 kilometers were difficult and the conditions were humid but the fact that I was strong and well prepared in mind and body helped me do well," Oloitiptip said while elaborating on his run.

The women's race saw Gladys Cherono winning in 32.03 minutes, five seconds outside the course record of 31.58 set by Yimer Wude in 2010.
Gladys was followed home by Ethiopian Guteni Shone in 32.10 and Kenyan Esther Chemtai in 32.14. Kenyan Helah Kiprop failed to defend her title, finishing seventh in 32.26, while course record holder Yimer Wude was 9th in 32.54.