Samson Surum wins the men's 1500m first heat at the Kenya Police Championships at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani (© Omulo Okoth)
African 3000m Steeplechase champion Richard Matelong produced a devastating last lap kick to win the men's 5000m as the Kenya Police Championships started on Friday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi.
Coming one day after the conclusion of the star-studded Kenya Prisons Championships at the same venue, the Police was a rather timid affair, but a good setting for the National Championships preparations.
Matelong clocked 13:35.2 with Thomas Longosiwa, a member of the Kenyan junior team to last April's World Cross Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, finishing second in 13:35.3. Felix Kibore was third in 13:37.6 and Gilbert Okari fourth in 13:46.0.
Helen Cherono, who won a Kenyan half marathon title last March, won the women's 10,000m in 34:55.1 as Jesica Obare, a veteran road racer, followed in 35:01.1 and Roseline Nyangacha in third place in 35:38.2.
The qualifying rounds had their fair share of drama as Elkana Angwenyi, the IAAF World Indoor Championships 1500m bronze medallist, was beaten to third place in the first heat which was won by Samson Surum in 3:46.1 with Edward Mutai finishing second in 3:46.4. Angwenyi timed 3:46.7.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for the IAAF
Leading Results
Men
5000m Final
1. Richard Matelong 13:35.2
2. Thomas Longosiwa 13:35.3
3. Felix Kibore 13:37.6
Pole Vault
1. James Kirimi 4.20
2. Shadrack Fundi 4.20
3. Charles Munyaua 3.60
400m Heat 1
1. Shadrack Oginda 49.1
2. Shadrack Cheruiyot 50.0
3. David Mumo 50.4
400m Heat 2
1. George Kwoba 48.8
2. Enock Omena 49.8
3. Maritim Cheruiyot 50.7
400m Heat 3
1. Felix Lebo 48.4
2. Timothy Kilonzo 48.9
3. Alex Munyao 49.8
1500m Heat 1
1. Samson Surum 3:46.1
2. Edward Mutai 3:46.4
3. Elkana Angwenyi 3:46.7
1500m Heat 2
1. Collins Ngeno 3:46.7
2. James Kangogo 3:47.2
3. Ronald Moenga 3:48.0
1500m Heat 3
1. Vickson Polonet 3:46.3
2. Suleiman Simotwo 3:47.6
3. Kandie Bushendich 3:49.4
Women
10,000m Final
1. Helen Cherono 34:55.1
2. Jesica Obare 35:01.1
3. Roseline Nyangacha 35:38.2
Long Jump Final
1. Millicent Ndoro 5.05
2. Pascaline Chelagat 4.85
3. Caroline Chirchir
400m Heat 1
1. Jecinta Shikanda 59.4
2. Penina Kigen 64.2
3. Martha Chepsergon 65.5
400m Heat 2
1. Usila Semwa 60.4
2. Beatrice Kibata 62.5
3. Jelieta Chepkemoi 63.5
400m Heat 3
1. Caren Nyakagwa 57.1
2. Damaris Kitheka 58.0
3. Susan Potshoi 61.2
