New sensation Alice Aprot Nawowuna started the 2016 season with a bang, by winning the 6KM race at the Campaccio cross country the first IAAF Cross Country Permit competition of 2016.

In the process, Aprot beat a strong field and set a new course record of 18:56. She beat a strong field, holding off Asian steeplechase record-holder Ruth Jebet from Bahrain by five seconds. 2009 world 10,000m champion Linet Masai finished third in 19:02, 12 seconds in front of 2012 Campaccio winner Mercy Cherono.

The twenty year old Aprot first burst into recognition when he won the 10,000m at the 2015 All Africa games in Brazzaville. At the time, Aprot was not even supposed to be on the team. She was assigned the task of pacemaker.  She set off at a torrid  pace and won the race in 31:24.18, a good 12 seconds ahead of second placed compatriot Gladys Kiptagelai, who clocked a season best time of 31:36.87, while Ethiopia’s Burka Gelete was third in 31:38.33.

Aprot who is one of the very few runners from Turkana county was happy after the race

“It was a very competitive race with strong runners,” said Aprot. “The course was very good and the weather was perfect for running. I am going back to Kenya to prepare the track season. My goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in the 10,000m.”

Results
1 Alice Aprot (KEN) 18:56
2 Ruth Jebet (BRN) 19:01
3 Linet Masai (KEN) 19:02
4 Mercy Cherono (KEN) 19:19
5 Sofia Assefa (ETH) 19:30
6 Stella Chesang (UGA) 19:50
7 Veronica Inglese (ITA) 19:59
8 Lily Partridge (GBR) 20:09
9 Silvia La Barbera (ITA) 20:13
10 Sara Dossena (ITA) 20:23