Tom Nyariki wins the 10,000m at the 2007 Kenya Armed Forces championships in Nairobi (© Peter Njenga)
Tom Nyariki, a World 5000m bronze medallist in 1997, won the 10,000 metres final of the 28th Kenya Armed Forces Championships in Nairobi on a cool overcast afternoon yesterday (17) in the season's fastest time run at altitude of 28:31.3.
Nyariki, 36, is the Kenyan runner who lost an eye in a botched robbery attempt in the Kenyan capital a few years ago but survived to return and continue running.
Yesterday’s win was his first victory at home since the 1996 national trials, in a 10,000m field dominated by marathon runners some of whom had taken part in major city races as recent as last month.
The race was a re-play of last year's only that all the top runners swooped final places with Nyariki, fourth last year, calculating properly and in the end pull off a thrilling victory on the final lap over 2002 Commonwealth Games 5000m champion Sammy Kipketer.
The race was a classic with the top-12 runners remaining in one tight pack until the 18th lap when Abraham Cherono broke off and sprinted to the front in an assault which lasted for only 200m. This some how changed the equation at the top with last year's champion John Korir finally moving into the lead. Others in close tag were former World Cross silver medallist Patrick Ivuti, also fifth in Rotterdam marathon last month, Yusuf Songoka, who was second in the Turin marathon, Kipketer, Barnasbas Kosgei, and Salim Kipsang.
Kipketer reclaimed the lead at the bell and started pulling away from the 300m mark. But in a few quick strides, Nyariki moved from seventh to level with Kipketer then started pulling away before Kipketer caught up with him again.
With 100m to go, Nyariki, who is preparing for the Las Vegas Marathon later in the year, took the lead again and sprinted to the finish.
“I decided to compete today purposely to score points for my team of Isiolo otherwise I have retired from the track,” said Nyariki. “This was also a thrilling performance as I won at home for the first time since the trials of 1996 Olympics.”
“From here I will return to the United States for a series of road races and finally a crack at the Las Vegas Marathon towards the end of the year.”
Kipketer clocked 28:33.0 in second followed by Barnabas Kosgei (28:34.5) and Ivuti (28:36.7).
Irene Kwambai won the women’s 10,000m race in 34:13.1 followed by Penina Arusei (34:23.0) and Sharon Jemutai (34:23.0), while in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase final, previous national champion Irene Limika finished second in 10:27.0. The winner, Jackline Cheruto clocked 10:27.0 in a race held in pouring rain.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
RESULTS
Finals:
Men
10,000m
1: Ton Nyariki, Isiolo, 28:31.3, 2: Sammy Kipketer, Nanyuki, 28:33.0 3: Barnabas Kosgei, Nanyuki, 28:34.5 4: Patrick Ivuti, Mab, 28:36.7 5: Salim Kipsang, Kahawa, 28:40.5 6: John Korir, Emb. 28:43.5 7: Robert Kipchumba, Mab, 28:48.1 8: Yusuf Songoka, Lab, 28:49.7
Women
10,000m
1: Irene Kwambai, Kahawa, 34:13.1 2: Penina Arusei, Thika, 34:23.0 3: Sharon Jemutai, Isiolo, 34:39.6 4: Catherine Mutua, Lanet, 35:39.3 5: Monica Atwori, Lanet, 36:05.1 6: Winfrida Kwamboka, Lab, 36:27.7 7: Jane Nyambura, Kahawa, 36:40.0 8: Ann Njeri, Nanyuki, 37:06.0
3000m Steeplechase
1: Jackline Cheruto, Nanyuki, 10:16.2 2: Irene Limika, Mtg, 10:27.0 3: Angeline Mutheu, Kahawa, 10:28.0 4: Jackline Chirchir, Thika, 10:40.1 5: Esther Nyambura, Lanet, 11:17.3 6: Sally Kibet, Nairobi, 11:45.8 7: Leah Njeri, Lanet, 14:29.3
