John Kibowen of Kenya (© Getty Images)
The Kenyan Armed Forces Championships ended here today with promising results in distance running as Kenyans repositioned themselves in the Athens Olympics countdown.
Koech continues in good form
Season's leader in the 800 metres Justus Koech posted an impressive time of 1:45.6 to become the first Kenyan to run inside the Olympics qualifying time in a local race, with Michael Rotich clocking 1:45.8 and Vincent Kemboi 1:46.2.
Koech, who was sixth in the World Championships final in Paris last summer, was the second fastest qualifier on Friday. Today he grabbed the lead from the 600m point where he started to sprint, and destroyed Rotich's challenge in the home stretch.
Kibowen wins
Former double World Cross short course champion John Kibowen proved overwhelmingly superior in the 5000m, while Abraham Cherono and former World champion and record holder Wilson Boit Kipketer waged a thrilling battle in the 3000m Steeplechase.
Kibowen seized the lead at the halfway mark in the 5000m, when he overtook early pace setter William Chebon. Pre-event favourite Benjamin Limo, another former World champion at the cross, dropped out of contention after falling during the second lap.
Kibowen worked alone to improve his time after sprinting from the 150m mark to clock 13:37.42 which was far off the Athens Olympics target of 13:21.50, with Chebon clocking 13:51.41 followed by Kwemoi Masai (13:52.58). The Olympics 1500m champion Noah Ngeny, just coming out of an injury forced exile, finished 10th.
In the Steeplechase, Cherono led from the gun with Boit Kipketer in close tag after breaking away from the rest of the field. At the final water jump Boit Kipketer threatened Cherono's lead without success as both runners sprinted to the finish clocking 8:28.0. and 8:28.3 respectively.
Chenonge wins women's 5000m
Like Kibowen, Inness Chenonge broke away mid-stage in the women's 5000m, and built on her lead up to the end, posting 15:47.8, with former World 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio finishing a distant second in 16:04.5. Margaret Ngotho, a bronze medallist in the 2000 World cross in the short course finished third in 16:13.8.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Selected results:
Men
200m:
1. Vincent Mumo, Mab, 21.07, 2. David Kirui, Nairobi, 21.90, 3. Sammy Kemei, Navy, 21.99,
400m:
1. Vincent Mumo, Mab, 45.65, 2. Muengi Mutua, Mab, 46.68, 3. Sammy Rono, Mab, 46.84.
800m:
1. Justus Koech, Nairobi, 1:45.6, 2. Michael Rotich, Mab, 1:45.8, 3. Vincent Kemboi, Mab, 1:46.2
1500m:
1. Churchill Kipsang, Gilgil, 3:47.1, 2. Laban Kirui, Lanet, 3:48.1, 3. Michael Ndhiwa, Navy, 3:48.4.
5000m:
1. John Kibowen, Lab, 13:37.42, 2. William Chebon, Mab, 13:51.41, 3. Kwemoi Masai, Lanet, 13:52.58
10,000m: 1. John Korir, Gilgil, 29:36.4, 2. Patrick Ivuti, Mab, 29:40.2, 3. Paul Koech, Kahawa, 29:46.4
3000m Steeplechase: 1. Abraham Cherono, Isiolo, 8:28.0, 2. Wilson Boit, Mab, 8:28.3, 3. Wesley Kiprotich, Navy, 8:36.3
Women
800m:
1. Luiza John, Tanzania, 2:05.37, 2. Jecinta Ngugi, Armed Forces, 2:06.98, 3. Hellen Juma, Armed Forces, 2:09.41
1500m: 1. Margaret Ngotho, Armed Forces, 4:20.4, 2. Cheruto Kiptum, Armed Forces, 4:20.6, 3. Susan Muthoni, Armed Forces, 4:21.0
5000m: 1. Innes Chenonge, Armed Forces, 15:47.8, 2. Sally Barsosio, Armed Forces, 16:04.5, 3. Margaret Ngotho, Armed Forces, 16:13.8.
10,000m: 1. Irene Kwambai, Armed Forces, 33:48.0, 2. Delilah Asiago, guest, 34:53.0, 3. Maddeline Syombua, Guest, 35:06.0
