Kosgei
and Limo opt for 1500m at Kenyan Championships
Omulo Okoth for IAAF
20 June - Nairobi - World and Olympic 3000 metres Steeplechase Champion Reuben
Kosgei skipped his specialist event opting instead, along with World 5000m
champion Richard Limo to run the 1500 metres on the first day of the Kenyan
National Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre Nairobi on
Thursday.
Kosgei finished fourth in the metric mile, returning in 3:46.2 but qualifying all the same for the semi-finals to be held on Friday.
The heat was won by the world's second fastest athlete Bernard Lagat, who kept his world record pursuit alive with a pulsating 3:44.8 finish and announced he wasn’t too keen on competing at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, (July 25-August 4).
The Kenyan championships, also doubling as the Commonwealth Games trials, will end on Saturday when another 21 athletes will be selected for the Games. Three marathon runners have been named already. They are Boston Marathon champion Rodgers Rop, World silver medallist Simon Biwot and Olympic silver medallist Eric Wainaina.
According to Lagat, he wants stronger competition in the African Championships in Tunis (August 4-10), and is hoping to make the African team for the IAAF World Cup in Madrid in September. He will also be eyeing Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj's world record (3:26) in Paris on July 5 in the IAAF Golden League meeting. Both El Guerrouj and Kenya’s Olympic Champion Noah Ngeny will be on the starting line-up in Paris.
William Chirchir won the second 1500 metres heat in 3:44.7, while David Kisang won the third preliminary race in 3:43.5.
Abraham Maiyo's 3:42.8 win in the fourth heat was, however, the fastest. Finishing third behind Maiyo was World 5000m Champion Richard Limo who, like Kosgei skipped his gold medal distance to finish third in 3:43.3. Robert Rono was second in 3:43.0.
Naomi Mugo won the first heat of the women's 1500m in 4:17.5, followed by Tanzania's Hawa Hussain in 4:19.1 and Jeruto Kiptum in 4:19.7.
Heat two was won by Margaret Ngotho in 4:22.8, who was followed in by Jackline Maranga (’99 World short course cross country gold) with 4:23.0. Rose Cheruiyot, trailed in third with 4:23.2.
The Cherono brothers -- Abraham and Stephen (younger siblings of 1999 World Steeplechase Champion Christopher Kosgei) -- had mixed luck in Kenya's traditional parade event.
Abraham won the first semi-final in 8:34.15, followed by former world record holder Bernard Barmasai in 8:34.24 and Olympic silver medalist Wilson Boit Kipketer in 8:34.53.
Stephen, who holds the world junior record, was fourth in the second heat, crossing in 8:36.9. Both will battle it out in the final on Saturday.
Julius Nyamu won the second steeplechase semi-final in 8:33.4 and was followed home by Sammy Kiplagat in 8:34.5 and reigning Commonwealth Games champion John Kosgei in 8:36.6.
Sammy Kipketer won the first heat of the 5000 metres in 13:55.4, with Willy Kiriu (younger brother of former twice World 5000m Champion Ismael) second in 13:56.0, with James Kitanda third in 13:56.4.
Abraham Chebii won the second 5000m heat in 13:56.41, with Albert Chepkurui and Samwel Kalya second and third respectively in 13:56.76 and 13:57.27.
Former IAAF World Cross Country 4-km champions Benjamin Limo (1999) and John Kibowen (1998/2000) were winner and runner-up respectively in the third heat in 13:55.0 and 13:56.4.
In the men’s 800m, there were heat wins for Paul Korir (1:47.5), Nicholas Wachira (1:47.6), Japheth Kimutai (1:47.1), Joseph Mwengi Mutua (1:47.5) and Moses Kibet (1:47.00).
Faith Macharia, who was fourth at last year's World Championships in Edmonton, won the first women's 800 metres heat in 2:06.0.
