Chepkemei
and Ndereba on their way to
Commonwealths
Omulo Okoth for IAAF
21 June 2002 - Nairobi - Kenya's 'Golden
Girls' of road running - Susan Chepkemei and Catherine Ndereba
- booked themselves Commonwealth Games slots after a wonderful 10,000 metres final, as the Kenyan National
Championships-cum-Commonwealth Games Trials entered their second day in capital of Nairobi
on Friday.
Chepkemei, world half-marathon best, ran a highly tactical race and won in 32:38.3. She was followed by Ndereba, world marathon best, in 32:50.2. Alice Timbilil, former IAAF World 3000m Youth Champion was third in 32:50.2, as Jane Omoro and Rose Kipyego trailed in fourth and fifth places in 33:07.2 and 33:41.8 respectively.
The top two athletes will be named for the Commonwealth Games due to be held in Manchester, England, between July 25 and August 4. The final team will be named on Saturday at the conclusion of the Trials.
Japan-based Esther Wanjiru's bid to defend her Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres title blew up when she finished ninth in the race and was immediately drafted in the women's marathon team.
The 2000 Sydney Olympics marathon race fourth placer and world best 20-km (64:01), was timed at 33:54. Two more women to be named on Saturday will join her.
"I am happy to represent my country in the any race," she declared.
Bernard Lagat glided to top position in the second semi final of the 1500 metres, crossing in 3:43.77, ahead of William Chirchir in 3:43.98 and Lord Torome in 3:44.03. World 5000 metres champion Richard Limo missed the top six places and was knocked out of the final due on Saturday.
Also failing to qualify for the final was Olympic and World 3000 metres steeplechase champion Reuben Kosgei, who finished fifth in the first semi final in 3:45.31. The race was won by David Kiplak in 3:44.09, followed by David Nyaga (3:44.21) and David Kisang (3:44.37).
Finalists will be Lagat, Chirchir, Lorome, Kiplak, Nyaga, Kisang, Robert Rono (fourth second semi - 3:44.49) and Abraham Maiyo (fourth first semi - 3:44.60).
Both Limo and Kosgei have, however, declared they are not interested in the Commonwealth Games and were only building up speed for the IAAF Golden League starting next week.
Commonwealth Games 800 metres champion Japheth Kimutai won the first 800 metres semis in 1:45.84, as Michael Rotich followed in 1:46.02 and reigning World Junior champion Nicholas Wachira took third spot in 1:46.13.
Former World Junior champion Joseph Mutua won the
second semi final in 1:45.83 with Cyrus Kimutai and Francis Marwa following in 1:46.17 and
1:46.56. Other finalists are Bernard Kisilu (1:46.77) and Justus Koech (1:46.75).
Other results: 20-km walk: Men: 1-David Kimutai
(1:23:21), 2-Julius Sawe (1:30:22), 3-Moses Mutai (1:31.02); Women: 1-Grace Wanjiru
(1:50:29), 2-Monica Akoth (1:50:49), 3-Rael Rotich (1:53:33).
