Amos Limakori trails Matthew Rugut (right) in the 10,000m in Eldoret (© Peter Njenga)
A season fastest time at altitude by little known Amos Limakori crowned the second day of Athletics Kenya Weekend Track Meeting at the Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret on Saturday.
Limakori clocked 29:57.0 after out-sprinting Mathew Rugut in the final metres of a photo finish to set his sight on the Osaka world championships final trials in two months time. Rugut clocked 29:57.2.
Double Africa champion Alex Kipchirchir was upset by Moses Barmasai in the 1500m final when he dropped to fourth in 3:49.6 which compared poorly to the victor’s 3:46.8. Second placed Bernard Kiplagat was timed at 3:48.1.
In the men's 800m, Edwin Letting covered the two lap distance in 1:48.3 and was followed by Richard Kiplagat in 1:48.6.
NOTE - It was originally and erroneously reported that "the World junior 800m champion David Rudisha had dropped out with 600m to go after suffering a muscle pull" - However, we are advised by the athlete's agent that while running an 800m heat the day before (4), Rudisha was nowhere near Eldoret on the Saturday (5), and was in fact training in Iten.
Previous World Cross Country junior champion Viola Kibiwott won the women’s 1500m in 4:19.1 followed by Irene Chelagat (4:20.0). Eunice Jepkorir was third in 4:25.5 as world Junior 3000m champion Veronica Nyaruai placed fifth Winnie Chebet beat the women's 800m field in 2:09.3. Sahana Saholinirina of Madagascar who trains at HPTC was second in 2:11.2 and third placed Viola Sang clocked 2:12.8.
World junior 5000m silver medallist Florence Kiplagat won her speciality by far overlapping the entire field in clocking 15:30.5.
On Friday several renowned athletes including the 2006 World Cross Country short course silver medalist Isaac Songok and former World and Olympic champion in the Steeplechase Reuben Kosgei did not show up at the finals despite having qualified in the first day. Ugandans running as guests dominated the sprints.
The juniors of Beijing took part in their first domestic competition for seniors and performed indifferently. The qualifying rounds on Friday were too crowded with races such as the 1500m attracting 230 athletes who went through 14 heats in an area which produces over 95 percent of Kenya's runners.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Select results, all athletes Kenyan unless otherwise indicated:
MEN -
100m
1. Stephen Oduwar (Uganda), 10.4
2. Tom Sinde (Uganda), 10.6
3. Ibrahim Muya, 10.9
200m
1. Oduwar Stephen (Uganda), 21.4
2. Kwoba George, 21.6
3. Stephen Kamolo, 21.8
400m
1. Sammy Egatu (Uganda) 48.3
2. Timothy Seein, 48.5
3. Lebo Felix, 48.8
800m
1. Edwin Letting, 1:48.3
2. Richard Kiplagat, 1:48.6
3. Leonard Kibet, 1:49.1
1500m
1. Moses Barnasai, 3:46.8
2. Bernard Kiplagat, 3:48.1
3. Amos Korir, 3:48.4
4. Alex Kipchirchir, 3:49.6
5000m
1. Thomas Longosiwa, 14:02.9
2. Sammy Kitwara, 14:03.3
3. Vincent Yator, 14:10.8
10,000m
1. Amos Limakore, 29:57.0 2
2. Mathew Rugut, 29:57.2
3. Akhello Ruto, 30:10.4
3000m SC
1. Boniface Kipchumba, 9:11.0
2. Evans Taiget, 9:20.8.
3. Silas Kosgei, 9:22.1
400mh
1. John Kituu, 53.7
2. Sylester Muteti, 54.5
3. Moses Malakwen, 55.2
WOMEN -
100m
1. Joyce Zakari, 12.3
2. Gladys Ithiongo, 12.6 3
3. Caroline Awour, 12.8
200m
1. Elizabeth Muthoka, 24.5
2. Joy Zakari, 25.0
3. Zipporah Ratemo, 25.7
400m
1. Elizabeth Muthoka, 54.3
2. Zipporah Ratemo, 56.9
3. Miriam Jepkirui, 58.0
800m
1. Winnie Chebet, 2:09.3
2. Sahana Sohanihina (Madagascar), 2:11.2
3. Viola Sang, 2:12.8
1500m
1. Viola Kibiwott, 4:19.1
2. Irine Chelagat, 4:20.0
3. Eunice Jepkorir, 4:.25.5
5000m
1. Florence Kiplagat, 15:30.5
2. Aliceen Ruto, 17:00.1
3. Yvonne Ngetich, 17:02.2
3000m steeplechase
1. Esther Tuwei, 10. 34.4
2. Mercy Njoroge, 10.43.9
3. Regina Cherotich, 10.56.8
400mH
1. Florence Wasike, 59.8
2. Mercy Njeri, 64.6 3
3. Jascinta Shikanda, 69.5