Kenyan Provincial Championships Roundup

All big names were missing in three Provincial championships held on Friday and Saturday in various parts of Kenya. But this did not stop juniors and upcoming runners from showing their intentions of making it to the next level.

Results from races in Nairobi, Kakamega, Nyeri, Kisumu, and Kitale showed possibilities of a radically new team competing in the nationals and possibly continental championships and World Cup meetings just like the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Some of them could also be travelling to Beijing for the World Juniors like Africa junior 800m champion Lydia Wafula.

Kiplagat best in Nairobi

Nelson Kiplagat who distinguished himself in the local 2003/04 cross country season and a previous winner of the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile showed a glimpse of his previous form in winning the 10,000 metres on a murran track at the City Stadium.

Kiplagat was destined to win, leaving others to set the pace until he settled into the race and only moved into the lead with five laps to go closely followed by Kipgnetich Koech and Yusuf Songoka.

With a lap to go, Kiplagat increased the pace but Koech would not let it go as they hit the home stretch. Kiplagat, also winner of the Cresent City Classic 10k, posted 29 minutes 14.9 seconds closely followed by Koech (29:17.2) and Songoka (29:28.9).

This was a good result for Songoka, third behind Kenyan Paul Kirui and Morocco's Hafida Izem in the 30th Rome-Ostia Half Marathon two years ago, who is equally active in the local cross country season, was the man of the meeting.

The 800m results were disappointing, partly because of poor traction on the surface which affected experienced local hero Francis Marwa. He managed a disappointing 1:51.0. ahead of little known Abraham Ngeno (1:51.4) and George Koech (1:51.6).

Marwa was slow at the start, remaining in the back of the pack in the first lap. Then gradually moved into the front before opening with a last burst of speed which Ngeno closely behind could not match. His was the fastest heat of the day.

Equally exciting was a high number of runners in the 1500m, won by Samson Surum (3:47.2). Mbusiro Tito (3:47.7) was second and Josphat Kitii a close third in 3:47.9.

2005 Turin Marathon Champion Beatrice Omwanza is still fast enough on the track. She settled for third position in the 1500m, clocking 4:32.1 behind Esther Chemtai (4:32.1) and Hellen Opiyo (4:43.5) in what she termed as a leisurely outing. Her presence was not surprisingly as she takes local track competition for fun which she had while the others struggled to make a cut for the national championships next week in Nairobi.

Upcoming Alice Ndirangu was without any worthy opponent in the 10000m which she won in 35:04.3. Second placed Joyce Mwenda was a distant second in 35:28.3.

Results at end of story

 
Taragon 28:31 at altitude in Nyeri

School girl Monica Wangare showed tremendous form and a possible slot in Kenya's World Juniors team in winning the 10,000m final at the Central Kenya championships at Dedan Kimathi Stadium, Nyeri, 160km north of Nairobi.

Wangare, a fourth form student at Kagondo Secondary School, ran sensibly and gradually built her lead which she maintained to win without any serious opposition from senior fellow competitors.

Wangare who has been training with the World Youth Champion Veronicah Nyaruai timed 35:00.00 in beating Alice Cherotich (35:10.00) by a large margin. Jane Kangara finished a distant third in 36:45.4.

Unlike the city race, the men's 10,000m in Nyeri at altitude was faster thanks to the efforts of Wilfred Taragon who posted an impressive 28:31 at altitude on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest at a height of 5199m.

Taragon, winner of the  Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon, Wales in a course record, September last year, could have done better if there was stiffer opposition. But Hoseah Rotich who tried to chase him only to burn himself finished almost a minute behind in 29:24.00.

Gideon Gathimba, another of the many rookies in attendance, won the 1500m in 3:47.0 in front of James Kangoro (3:47.4) and  Patrick Maina (3:49.2).

Although steeplechase running is still new in central Kenya, there was keen interest among women. The winner, Ruth Waithera used unorthodox jumping method over hurdles in clocking 10:55.0.  Rachael Wanjiru followed her in 11:18.0 and Caroline Muthoni (18:11.32). Another notable performance was in the 1500m, won by Easter Wangui in 4:35.0. She was closely followed by Lucy Adapa (4:56.0). Caroline Kanunde was third in 4:37.1.

Results at end of story

Impressive outing in Kakamega for Wafula

Africa 800 metres junior champion Lydia Wafula eclipsed older athletes at the Western Province championships at Bukhungu, Stadium, Kakamega, some 440km west of the capital.

Wafula who hails from the nearby Mount Elgon returned a slow time but winning was more important. It offered her a chance to compete in the nationals next week, an opportunity to polish her acts before final trials for the world juniors in mid July.

Wafula won in 2:11.6 which was faster than times posted in the Nairobi and Central provinces meetings yesterday. Further down the field was her team mate Sylvia Chemtai  (2:19.0). This was a great improvement in time and position from her Melbourne Commonwealth Games build-up race last year at the same venue.

Then she finished third behind Joyce Maritim and Annet Mwanzi in 2:15.3.

Rael Okumaya was the fastest finisher in all the three provincial meetings at the 10,000m in 34:21.4, so was second placed Leonida Omito (34:54.34). 

Equally impressive was Amos Matoi in the men's race (28:30.30). Humphrey Kiptalam in second ran 28:31.00 and Allan Ndiwa, 28:41.60. 

In the 1500m, Stephen Koech posted 3:43.0 and was closely followed by Amos Korir (3:44.9) and Silas Kipruto (3:44.9). 

Results at the end of the story 


KISUMU - close 10,000m

Samuel Kiplimo whose marathon career never really took off won the 10,000 metres race of the Nyanza North Provincial championships at the Moi Stadium, Kisumu, 380km west of Nairobi on Saturday (24).

The weather was perfect in the lakeside town for Kiplimo to take on John Korir, the highly professional Kenyan road racer based in the United States whose string of victories include high profile races like the Cherry Blossom.

Korir was the one who took the initiative and his wealth of experience was on display, by controlling the pace from the beginning when the rest of the field appeared to hesitate. It seemed he was on course for easy victory until the last 100m when Kiplimo came from behind for a thrilling sprint.

At first a startled Korir regained his composure as they ran neck and neck all the way to the finish when Kiplimo edged him out clocking 28:44, with Korir coming home one second behind.

Julius Too was completely overwhelmed and opted to safeguard his third position (28:54.19) which guaranteed him a place in the national championships which starts on Thursday in Nairobi. 

Kiplimo had earlier finished third the 1500m which was a dress rehearsal for the longer distance. The race was won by Nicholas Kurgat(3:42.23), Second placed Elisah Cheruiyot posted (3:44.28) and Kiplimo (3:48.43).

In the 5000m, unknown Lucas Rugut beat upcoming Rono Matelong, who was fifth in the highly competitive North Rift Championships last year, into second place. The winner clocked 15:28.30 and Matelong, 16:02.82.

KITALE

Many well names were unable to resist the challenge of a wave of talented village boys and girls in the usually competitive North Rift Provincial Championships in Kitale, 70km west of Eldoret on Saturday (24).

Although fresh from winning the World Junior Cross Country title, Mangata Ndhiwa was pushed to fourth position in the 5000 metres, won by the unknown John Thuo in 13:52.9, the fourth fastest time at altitude this year albeit on a murram track. Ndhiwa (14:02.1) who missed an automatic slot in the three-day nationals, June 29-July 1, will from now concentrate on qualifying for the World Junior Championships trials on 21 July in Nairobi.

World Indoor 1500m silver medallist Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, the youthful Kenyan who emerged as one of the best 1500m runners in the world last season, chose the shorter 800m which attracted over 100 runners. Komen won his heat in 1:50.2, a time which only ranked him fourth overall compared to the fastest, David Rudisha in 1:47.5, followed by Edwin Letting  (1:49.3) and Hilary Kiptanui (1:50.2). Komen will be in the nationals by invitation where he will revert to his specialty as kenya’s best compete for team places at the Africa Championships and ultimately the World Cup.

Emmanuel Mutai, another upcoming athlete with modest international experience, won the 10,000m head of Nairobi Marathon champion, Samson Barmao and former World Cross Country Championships silver medalist Bernard Kiprop. They broke away from the rest of the field half through the race and kept on exchanging the lead until the last two 200m when Mutai started kicking to finish in 29:17.6 followed by Samson Barmao (29:18.2) and Bernard Kiprop (29:24.6).


Peter Njenga for the IAAF

RESULTS -

NAIROBI

Men

800m:
1:  Francis Marwa, 1:51.0
2: Abraham Ngeno, 1.51.4
3: George Koech, 1:51.6.
1500m:
1. George Kitonga, 14:16.4
2: Samuel Kalya, 14:21.0
3: Josphat Wachira, 14:22.8.
5000m:
1: George Kitonga, 14:16.4
2: Samuel Kalya, 14:21.0
3: Josphat Wachira, 14:22.8
10000m:
1: Nelson Kiplagat, 29:14.9
2: Kipngetich Koech, 29:17.2
3: Yusuf Songoka, 29:28.9
3000m steeplechase:
1: Nelson Mongaka, 8:32.6
2: Josphat Kithi, 8:33.6
3: Kipkoech Kemboi, 8:35.5.

Women

800m:
1: Hellen Obiri, 2:16.4
2: Regina Muchoki, 2:19.0.
1500m:
1: Esther Chemtai, 4:32.1
2: Hellen Opiyo, 4:43.5
3: Beatrice Omwanza, 4:45.6
10,000m:
1: Alice Ndirangu, 35:04.3
2: Joyce Mwende, 35:28.3
3: Pauline Njeri, 36:02.0
3000m steeplechase:
1:Pauline Njeri, 10:39.4
2: Violet Kemunto, 11;11.3
3: Susan Chepkok, 12:00.3.

NYERI

Men

1500m
1: Gideon Gathimba, 3: 47.0
2: James Kangoro, Maragua, 3:47.4
3: Patrick Maina, Nyeri, 3:49.2
10,000m
1: Wilfred Taragon, 28:31.0
2: Hoseah Rotich, 29:24.0
2: Kamau Kanyi, 29.30.0
3000m steeplechase
1: Stephen Karanu, 9:12.0
2: Julius Muriuki,  9:17.0
3: Jessa Wachira, 9:23.0

Women

10,000m
1: Monicah Wangari,  34:37.0
2: Alice Cherotich, 35:10.0
3: Jane Kangara, 36:45.4.
3000m Steeplechase
1: Ruth Waithera, 10:55.0
2: Rachael Wanjiru, 11:18.0
3: Caroline Muthoni, 11:32.0

KAKAMEGA

Men

1500m
1: Stephen Koech, 3:43.0
2: Amos Korir, 3:43.2,
3: Silas Kipruto, 3:44.9.
5000m
1: Robert Ndiwa, 14:13.26
2: Simon Kiptum, 14:15.96
3:  Peter Kwali, 14:16.0
10000m:
1: Amos Matoi, 28:30.30
2: Humphrey Kiptalam, 28:31.00
3: Allan Ndiwa, 28:41.60

Women

1500m
1: Janet Ngeiywa, 4:28.26
2: Esther Chebor,4:29.7
3: Immaculate Chemtai, 4:32.36
5000m
1: Esther Chebor,16:56.0
2: Pheny Mateiko,17:13.0
3: Makikut Abigael, 18:27.0
10,000m:
1. Rael Okumaya, 34:21.4
2. Leonida Omito, 34:54.34

KISUMU

Men

1: Kennedy Onyango, Bondo, 11.0
2: Erick Ngare, Bondo,11.15
3: Stephen Chianga, Bondo, 11.66
200m:
1: Nick Oloo, Rachuonyo, 23.20
2: Erick Ngare, Bondo, 23.57
3: Stephen Chianga,Bondo, 23.90
400m
1: Peter Mutai, Bondo, 59.72
2: Kennedy Onyango,Bondo,64:92
3: Simon Tuei (Bondo) 67.24
1500m:
1: Nicholas Kurgat, Kisumu, 3:42.23
2:Elisah Cheruiyot, Nyando, 3:44.28
3: Joseph Kiplimo, Kisumu, 3:48.43
5000m
1: Lucas Rugut, Kisumu, 15:28.30
2:Rono Matelong, Kisumu, 16:02.82
3: Felix Serei, Homa Bay, 16:05.68
10,000m:
1: Samuel Kiplimo, Kisumu, 28:44.13
2: John Korir, Kisumu, 28:45.84,
3: Julisu Too, Kisumu,  28:54.19

Women

100m
1: Everlyn Atieno, Siaya, 13.70
2: Nancy Ombure, Homa Bay, 14:08
3: Eunice Ngege, Homa Bay, 14.18
200m
1: Evelyn Atieno, Siaya, 27.61
2: Julai Ogola, Bondo, 29.16
3: Eunice Ndege, Homa Bay,29.30
1500m
1:Joan Awuor, Bondo,4:42.23
2: Mercy Too, 4:44.30,
3: Emily Chepngeno, Bondo, 5:14.43
5000m
1: Monica Auma, Bondo,18:53.39
2: Winnie Tanui, Kisumu, 19:00.75
3: Jenipher Chesimon, Kisumu, 19:08.64.
10,000m
1:Pharis Barisa (Bondo) 49.25.4
2:Rose Kihere, Bondo, 50.21.5
3:Sarah Murukwa,Bondo, 52.11.09

KITALE

Men

800m
1: David Rudisha, 1:47.5
2: Edwin Letting, 1:49.3
3: Hilary Kiptanui, 1:50.2
5000m
1: John Thuo, 13:52.9
2: Christopher Lokey, 13:53.8
3: Abraham Rotich, 13:55.5,
10,000m
1: Emmanuel Mutai, 29:17.6
2: Samson Barmao, 29:18.2
3: Bernard Kiprop, 29:24.6
3000m Steeplechase
1: Benjamin Kiplagat, 8:40.5
2: Christopher Boit, 8:41.6
3: Willy Komen, 8:42.1

Women

800m
1: Viola Kibiwott, 2:12.2
2:  Viola Chebet, 2:12.9
3: Saholimrina Eliena, 2:13.4
1500m
1: Beatrice Rutto, 4:24.5
2: Viola Kibiwott, 4:26.4
3:  Mercy Kosgei, 4:29.1
5000m
1: Mercy Wanjiru , 16:20.8
2: Rose Kosgei, 16:24.6
3: Chebet Kiplagat , 16:29.2
10,000m
1: Flomena Cheyech, 34:06.9
2: Caroline Chepkwony, 34:22.9
3: Priscila Lorchima ,  34:53.1
3000m Steeplechase
1:  Beatrice Rutto, 10:20.8
2: Beatrice Kibor, 10:25.4
3: Vivian Kilimo 10:25.9