Olympic 1500m champion Noah Ngeny was beaten into third place over 800m by the little known Mike Toroitich (1:47.4) in the only notable upset on the second and final day of the Kenyan Armed Forces Championships on Saturday 9 June.
But Ngeny was not concerned with the 800m results. "I am just training for speed work. This result means nothing to me," confirmed Ngeny who is due to run the 1500m in the Athens IAAF Grand Prix on Monday.
"I have been running the 800m at home in preparation for the European circuit and if things work out according to my plan, I will attempt the 1500m World record in the Rome Golden League. For this reason, I will only run in Oslo but I’m doubtful of running in Paris," said Ngeny who clocked 1:48.2 in Nairobi.
Toroitich’s winning time was 1:47.4, pretty slow by the usual standards at the Kenyan Armed Forces championships, which are considered the second toughest Kenyan athletics meet after the nationals.
In the steeplechase, Wilson Boit Kipketer is committed to remain competitive, even when his peers have gradually fizzled out and the 1997 World champion and former World record holder remains as majestic as ever, winning his race in 8:30.7. He had stalked former World Junior silver medalists Abraham Cherono and Kipkurui Misoi until the home stretch, at which point he unleashed a deadly kick, which the younger generation failed to match.
As expected, the 1999 World Cross Country short course champion Benjamin Limo won the 5,000m in 13:46.7. John Kibowen, World champion in the same short course event the year before, was second (13:47.8 ) and John Kosgei (13:50.0) third.
Leading results from the Kenyan Armed Forces Championships June 7/8, 2002 -
Men:
400m: 1. David Kirui, 45.8; 2. Victor Kibet, 46.1; 3. Joseph Mutua, 46.6;
800m: 1. Mike Toroitich, 1:47.4; 2. Joseph Mutua, 1:47.6; 3. Noah Ngeny, 1:48.2;
1500m: 1. David Kiplak, 3:46.0; 2. Robert Rono, 3:46.8; 3. Sammy Mutai, 3:47.0; 5000m: 1. Benjamin Limo, 13:46.7; 2. John Kibowen, 13:47.8; 3. John Kosgei, 13:50.0;
10,000m: 1. Sammy Kipketer, 28:16.2; 2. Paul Kosgei, 28:24.0; 3. Tom Nyariki, 28:38.4; 4. Patrick Ivuti, 28:36.0; 5. William Muigei, 28:41.7; 6. John Korir, 28:51.4;
400m hurdles: 1. Vincent Mumo, 50.8; 2. Gideon Biwott, 51.0; 3. Hilary Martim, 51.3;
3000m steeplechase:1. Wilson Boit Kipketer, 8:30.7; 2. Abraham Cherono, 8:31.2; 3. Kipkurui Misoi, 8:33.8; 4. David Chepkisa, 8:38.4;
Women:
800m: 1. Charity Wandia, 2:09.3; 2. Chematia Chemaringo, 2:11.1; 3. Pamela Nyakundi, 2:12.3; 1500m: 1. Ines Chelenge, 4:17.1; 2. Margaret Ngotho, 4:19.6; 3. Josephine Wanjiku, 4:24.6
10,000m: 1. Winfrida Nyansereka, 35:03.06; 2. Jessica Obore, 35:10.06; 3. Rose Cherutich, 35:20.9.