Kenyan Shadrack Korir wins the men's 1500m at the athletics IAAF Super Grand Prix Athletissima in Lausanne 11 July 2006 (© AFP / Getty Images)
The Kenyan National Championships commenced on Thursday (26) at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, and performances were a little muted as most top athletes have next week’s Olympic Trials as their focus.
One of the remarkable performances of the day was in the 1500 metres semi-finals. The first race was won by World Championships bronze medallist Shadrack Korir in 3:43.7 with Abraham Chebii the victor of the second heat in 3:44.1.
Chebii who took the world by storm with long distance leading times in 2003, is on a comeback trail hoping his luck will hold before the Beijing Olympics trials next week.
Goddfrey Rono finished second behind Chebii in 3:44.3.
Asbel Kiprop was one of the qualifiers for the 800m semis after finishing second in his heat in a time of 1:48.7 behind Richard Kiplagat (1:48.0). The 2007 World Junior Cross Country champion said he was still working on his speed before moving to the 1500m during the Olympics trials. Kiprop finished fourth at the 1500m in the 2007 World Championships.
2002 Commonwealth bronze medallist Abraham Cherono dropped to third in his semi-final of the 3000m Steeplechase (heat two) won by Elija Chelimo in 8:29.5. Second placed Chirchir clocked 8:31.0 with Cherono posting 8:34.4.
Patrick Langat won the first Steeplechase heat in 8:40.5 with Linus Chumba in second clocking 8:41.0.
African champion Pamela Chelimo, the world season leading 800m runner returned to national competition and won the 400m in 52.9. However, the best was Elizabeth Muthoka who broke the 24-years-old national record (51.56 – Ruth Waithera, Los Angeles, 6 Aug 1984) with a new mark of 51.4.
Peter Njenga for the IAAF
