Barnabas Kosgei in Eldoret (© David Macharia)
Former World junior Cross Country champion Barnabas Kosgei was one of the surprise winners of the 29th Kenyan Armed Forces Athletics Championships held on Friday and Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre.
Kosgei beat a quality seasoned field to win the 10,000m in 28 minutes 25.8 seconds after breaking away from the leading pack at the 11th lap. He was followed by former Kenyan champion John Korir in 28:27.2. Twice World Cross Country championships silver medallist Patrick Ivuti finished fourth.
Korir also doubled up in the 5000m on Saturday and dictated the pace until the last 200m when Mark Kiptoo beat the rest in a sprint finish to clock 13:39.1 on a cool afternoon.
But the forces meeting lacked the fireworks of yester year as some athletes selected in the provisional Olympics squad stayed away.
Another former youth silver medallist Jackson Kivuva clocked 1:47.8 in the 800m after a solo effort in the last 100m. He was followed by Michael Rotich in 1:48.3 and Sila Kimutai (1:48.5).
Nancy Jebet won the women's race in 2:12.9 followed by Charity Wandia (2:14.2) and Jane Jelagat (2:14.2).
Abraham Chirchir was on course for victory in the 3000m Steeplechase until the second last lap when he fell at the water jump and moved to fourth. In his place Linus Chumba out ran former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Abraham Cherono at the home stretch to stop the clock at 8:29.0. Cherono posted 8:31.0
Veteran Irene Kwambai had to settle for third in the 5000m race won by Linet Chepkurui in 15:55.3. Gladys Cherono was second in 15:56.0.
Peter Njenga for the IAAF
Leading Results
800m
1: Jackson Kivuva, Mad, 1:47.8
2: Micheal Rotich, Mab, 1:48.3
3: Sila Kimutai, Mtongwe, 1:48.5
4: Kayus Mauti, Lanet, 1:48.7
1500m
1: Shadrack Korir, Nanyuki, 3:41.5
2: Chirchill Kipsang, Embakasi, 3:41.7
3: Gideon Gathimba, Lab, 3:42.4
4: Geoffrey Terer, Kahawa, 3:44.1
5000m
1: Mark Kiptoo, Lab, 13:39.1
2: Shadrack Kosgei, Kahawa, 13:39.8
3: Nathan Langat, Nairobi, 13:40.0
4: John Korir, Embakasi, 13:40.03
10000m
1: Barnabas Kosgei, Nanyuki, 28:25.8
2: John Korir, Embakasi, 28:27.2
3: Kimutai Kiplimo, Lab, 28:29.4
4: Patrick Ivuti, Mab, 28:34.0
3000m steeplechase
1: Linus Chumba, Embakasi, 8:29.0
2: Abraham Cherono, Isiolo, 8:31.0
3: Abraham Chrichir, Embakasi, 8:33.3
4: Patrick Nthiwa, Lanet, 8:34.6
WOMEN -
800m
1: Nancy Jebet, Mab, 2:12.9
2: Charity Wandia, Kahawa, 2:14.2
3: Jane Jelagat, Thika, 2:14.7
4: Nelly Jeptanui, Mtongwe, 2:15.8
1500m
1: Nancy Jebet, Mab, 4:29.0
2: Gladys Cherono, Kahawa, 4:29.8
3: Jackline Chirchir, Thika, 4:32.5
4: Innes Chenonge, Mab, 4:33.3
5000m
1: Linet Cheptanui, 14:55.3
2: Gladys Cherono, Kahawa, 15:56.0
3: Irene Kwambai, Embakasi, 15:56.8
4: Monica Atwori, Lanet, 15:59.0
10000m
1: Linet Chepkurui, Mab, 35:35.5
2: Irene Kwambai, Embakasi, 35:38.1
3: Penina Arusei, Thika, 35:43.0
4: Monica Atwori, Lanet, 35:51.6
3000m Steeplechase
1: Irene Limika, Mtongwe, 10:19.2
2: Jackline Chirchir, Thika, 10:20.8
3: Angeline Mutheu, Kahawa, 10:42.1
4: Jackline Jeruto, Nanyuki, 11:03.0