Peter Sitienei in Eldoret (© David Macharia)
Seasoned local road racer Peter Ndegwa was the surprise winner of the 10,000m at the Nairobi Province Championships held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday (9) as many renowned Kenyans kept away from competition awaiting the final national trials for the Osaka World Championhips next month.
Nairobi Province Championship
Ndegwa, a silver medallist in the 2005 national championships in the same event, won a sprint finish, just managing to pip second placed Joel Lokwamuk near the finish to clock 29:25.4. Lokwamuk (29:27.0) had to settle for second in a photo finish ahead of David Kilel (29:27.1). The three wedged a tactical race, the most exciting of the day but times posted were slower than those registered at the Police and Prisons Championships recently.
Despite a low turn out in other events, the 5000m attracted over 50 runners who were divided into two heats. The first was more competitive with Josephat Wachira and David Magaka emerging the better runners.
They had by mid stage dropped all other contestants as they traded the lead until the bell when Magaka moved to the lead. He held on until the last 100m when the race underwent a dramatic change.
Wachira engaged him in a sprint and finally win in 14:00.8. Magaka marginally behind clocked 14:02.6 and Willy Mwangi (14:11.6).
Enock Rotich won the 3000m Steplechase in unimpressive 8:48.0 followed by Hilary Wabel (8:53.9) and Paul Tirop (8:56.4).
Caroline Awour won the 100 and 200m while Mary Njoki beat her only challenger Fiona Gakii in the women’s 5000m.
Selected results - Nairobi Province
Men -
100m
1. Kipkemoi Soi, 10.7
2. Nobert Otieno, 10.9
3. Raymond Kibet, 10.9
200m
1. Raymond Rono, 21.6
2. Tobias Masinde, 22.0
3. Amos Rono, 22.1
400m
1. Raymond Kibet, 47.1
2. Henry Bitok, 48.3
3. Luka Rono, 48.5
800m
1. Musa Kipchichir, 1:49.5
2. Collins Naadokila, 1:49.6
3. Hosea Kandie, 49.9.
1500m (heat 1)
1. Hosea Kandie, 3:43.1
2. James Mutwol, 3:43.5
3. Jeremiah Ndung’u, 3:44.0.
Heat 2
1. Geoffrey Terer, 3:46.3
2. Musa Kipchirchir, 3:46.4
3. Kiplagat Kipkemoi, 3:50.9
5000m: (ht1)
1. Josephat Wachira, 14:00.8
2. David Magaka, 14:02.6
3. Willy Mwangi, 14:11.6.
Ht 2
1. Daniel Cheptot, 14:11.0
2. Micah Kipchirchir, 14:22.1
3. Timothy Kipchumba, 14:27.00.
10,000m
1. Peter Ndegwa, 29:25.4
2. Joel Lokmwamuk, 29:26.0
3. Daniel Kilel, 29:27.1
3000m steeplechase
1. Erick Rotich, 8:48.0
2. Hilary Wabel, 8:53.9
3. Paul Tirop, 8:56.4.
Women
100m:
1. Mary Chebet, 17.5
2. Edith Kimweu, 18.2
3. Juliet Wanza, 18.9
200m
1. Caroline Awour, 25.8
2. Edith Kimeu, 26.7
3. Grace Kidake, 26.8
400m
1. Caroline Awour, 57.2
2. Sylvia Cheserem, 59.1
3. Grace Kidare, 60.2.
800m
1. Purity Wangui, 2:12.6
2. Regina Wangui, 2:15.1
3. Sylvia Chesebe, 2:16.7.
1500m
1. Purity Wangui, 4;30.4
2. Grace Nyakiana, 4:39.3
3. Peris Chumba, 4:41.8
5000m
1. Mary Njoki, 24;59.8
2. Fiona Gakii, 32;14.1
10,000m
1. Monica Muthoni, 36:34.5
2. Everlyne Moraa, 38:50.3
3. Judy Omboka, 40;04.4.
Young runners discovered in Eldoret - North Rift Championship
Eldoret, Kenya - Risper Cherutich, 14, could be the first Kenyan qualifier for the World Youth Championships after finishing second in the North Rift Championships which this year were teeming with raw, untested talent.
The two-day meeting at the Kip Keino Stadium, 312km west of the capital Nairobi, was snubbed by renowned athletes to give young ones opportunities to fine tune themselves for the All Africa Games and IAAF World Youth Championships.
Kenya's best talents are discovered in this annual meeting on the track and cross country. Cherutich from semi arid Baringo trailed winner Rebecca Kipsang through out the race to finish second after clocking 34:04.3 seconds.
The winner finished in 33:24.9. Sharon Kipsang was third in 34:42.8.
This was a remarkable comeback by Cherutich who was knocked out of the Rift Valley primary schools championships last month when she suffered stomach stitches to finish sixth.
The men’s race was won by Titus Masai in 29:08.8. He benefitted a lot from the presence of former 3000m Steeplechase Olympic and World champion Reuben Kosgei who paced the field until the 18th lap when he dropped out.
Peter Sitienei was second in 29:11.8 followed by Wilson Kemboi in 29:19.3. Kosgei was using the race as part of his training for the forthcoming international competition.
“I was only using the race to build my endurance for my international assignments," He said.
The 1500m race for men went to Amos Korir who clocked 3:44.8 in part due to the poor state of the dusty track, second was Collins Cheboi of Keiyo in 3:45.5 and third place went to Gilbert Kipsang of Trans Nzoia in 3:46.7.
Silas Kosgei won the 800m in 1:50.7 and was followed by the son of former Olympics 400m bronze medallist, the late Samson Kitur, Felix Kitur in 1:50.9.
Joseph Kitur who clocked 13:57.8 upset Kenya junior champion Thomas Longosiwa who last year was involved in an age cheating scandal. He clocked 13:59.5.
The North Rift districts that competed were Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Marakwet, Keiyo, Uasin Gishu, Nandi South and Nandi North.
Selected results - North Rift Championship
Men
800m
1. Silas Kosgei, 1:50.7
2. Felix Kitur, 1:50.9
3. Hillary Kiptanui, 1:51.3.
1500m
1. Amos Korir, 3:44.8
2. Collins Cheboi, 3:45.5
3. Gilbert Kipsang, 3:46.7
5000m
1. Joseph Kitur, 13:57.8
2. Thomas Longosiwa, 13:59.5
3. Philip Kanda, 14:06.1
10,000m
1. Titus Masai, 29:08.8
2. Peter Sitienei, 29:11.8
3. Wilson Kemboi, 29:19.3.
3000m S/C
1. Nicholas Lagat, 9:03.1
2. James Cheptuiyon, 9:06.3
3. Evans Taiget, 9:07.3.
Women
800m
1. Vivian Jelagat, 2:12.8
2. Cynthia Kosgei, 2:14.3
3. Viola Sang, 2:15.3
1500m
1. Faith Cheruto, 4:31.5
2. Mercy Kosgei, 4:34.3
3. Naomi Kipkemboi, 4:36.3
5000m
1. Hyron Ngetich, 16:35.3
2. Hellen Kiprop, 16:39.5
3. Rael Kinyara 16:42.0.
10,000m
1. Rebecca Kipsang, 33:24.9
2. Risper Cherutich, 34:04.3
3. Sharon Kipsang, 34:42.8.
3000m S/C
1. Gladys Kemboi, 10:46.5
2. Beatrice Kiprop, 10:51.6
3. Penina Cheruiyot, 10:58.8
Nyanza South Championships
Kisii, Kenya - US-based road racer Wesley Ochoro won the 10,000m final of the Nyanza South Championships at Gusii Stadium, 300km west of the capital on Friday in 30:26.09 after a thrilling and close competition with Jairus Chachima who finished a close second in 30:26.45, followed by Isaac Omete in a distant third (39:59.45).
Jared Mokua upset favourite Josephat Ayiera in the 1500m to clock 3:50.02. Ayiera in second posted 3:53.03.
In the 5000m, James Getanda won in a slowish 14:09.00 followed by veteran Lameck Mosoti who out sprinted Ronald Kiplagat in the last 100 metres. Mosoti clocked 14:11.00 while Kiplagat clocked 14:19.00.
Another seasoned road racer Jackline Nyangeri won the women’s 10,000m in 34:00.00 ahead of Jackline Torori who clocked 36:29.00. Torori was later to win the 1500m in 4:51.03, beating Nancy Samuel to second position in 4:54.07.
Selected results - Nyanza South Championships
Men
400m
1. Frank Nyakundi, 49:03
2. Joel Okindo, 58:01
3. Suleiman Omari, 50:03
800m
1. Evans Onkoba, 1:54.00
2. Gideon Mageta, 1:55.05
3. Suleiman Omari, 1:56.03
1,500m
1. Jared Mokua, 3:50.02
2. Josephat Ayiera, 3:53.03
3. Gideon Mageka, 3:53.08
5000m
1. James Getanda, 14:09.00
2. Lameck Mosoti, 14:11.00
3. Ronald Kiplagat, 14:19.00
10,000m:
1. Wesley Ochoro, 30:26.09
2. Jairus Chachima, 30:26.45
3. Isaac Omete, 30:59.45
Women
400m
1.Catherine Mose, 62:05
2. Divinah Ogamba, 62:08
3. Wilkister Juma, 63:02
800m
1. Milka Kona, 2:22.02
2. Divinah Oganga, 2:23.08
3. Catherine Mose, 2:24.06
1500m
1. Jackline Torori, 4:51.03
2. Nancy Samuel, 4:54.07
3. Janet Isaac, 5:07.01
5,000m
1. Irene Mogaka 18:07.03
2. Monica Obiero, 19:12.00
3. Irene Mong’are, 19:13.00
10,000m
1. Jackline Nyangaresi, 34:00.00
2. Jackline Torori, 36:29.08
3. Gladys Moraa Mokua, 38:53.07
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
