Veronica Nyaruai Warijiru of Kenya runs during the 3000m final at the World Youth Championships (© Getty Images)
Nairobi, KenyaThe reigning World Junior and Youth 3000m champion Veronica Nyarwai Wanijiru was among the star attractions at the Kenyan National Quadrangular Championships at the renovated Nyayo National Stadium which took place today.
Wanjiru, 17, - who is too old for the World Youth Championships in Ostrava* - was running for the 1500m to gain speed work for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics Osaka, Japan, in August. She is also be looking for a place in African Junior Championships in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso. She won easily, timing 4:17.4 after leading from start to finish.
This year’s World Junior XC bronze medallist had also won the 1500m at the Kenya National Schools Athletics Championships in Kakamega which ended on Sunday (10). There she was timed in 4:26.2.
World cross country men’s junior bronze medallist Mathew Kisorio won the boys’ 5000m race in 14:00.20 in Nairobi today, while David Munyao took the men’s 10,000m Race Walk in 49:27.5.
There was an exciting and close finish in the Boys 3000m where Leonard Oloitiptip triumphed by less than a second after he clocked 8:13.0. Nick Chepseba was runner-up in 8:13.1.
Athletics Kenya Secretary General, David Okeyo, predicted that Kenya will send 20 athletes to the World Youth Championships.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
NB. The 2007 World Youth championships are open only to athletes aged 15, 16 or 17 years of age on 31 December 2007 (e.g. 2007: born in 1990, 1991 or 1992).
RESULTS
Kenyan National Quadrangular Championships
Nairobi, Kenya, 12 June
Boys
10,000m walk
1. David Munyao (49.27.8)
2. Duncan Shivindwa (50:01.4)
3. Ignatius Akeya (50:39.4).
5000m
1. Mathew Kisorio (14:00.20)
2. Keneth Kibet (14:20.0)
3. Geoffrey Kirui (14:30.7)
Long Jump
1. Edwin Kimei (7.03m)
2. Benjamin Lagat (6.02m)
3. Kipkosgei Koech (6.57m)
Girls
10,000m
1. Alice Kibor (35:8.5)
2. Agnes Chelangat (37:20.5)
3. Jane Onyangi (37:27.5)
Javelin
1. Viola Chebet (37.23m)
2. Kisanga Ndani (36.99m)
3. Susan Onyancha (33.92m)
High Jump
1. Joyce Yatich (1.58m)
2. Jerotich (1.58m)
3. Sarah Tarus (1.58m)
National High Schools Meeting
Kakamega, Kenya, June 11, 2007
(Girls results only)
1500 metres
1. Veronica Nyarwai 4:26.2
2. Sheila Chekurui 4:29.3
3. Rose Waroga 4:36.0
400 metres
1. Betty Chelagat 56.9
2. Mirriam Chepkum 57.8
4. Milka Wamithe 58.4.
5000 metres
1. Grace Thuthi 26:41.4
2. Esther Njoki 26:42.9
3. Linet Busuru 27:14.0
Long Jump
1. Anne Malafu 4.83
2. Damaris Mbogo 4.79
3. Mercy Musyoka 4.75
High jump
1. Joyce Yatich 1.60
2. Regina Mose 1.55
3. Cherotich Koech 1.50
