Faith Cherotich in the steeplechase in Nairobi (© AFP / Getty Images)
Faith Cherotich and Reynold Cheruiyot were among the winners at Athletics Kenya’s World Championships Trials at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Tuesday (22).
The competition was originally scheduled for 1-2 August but had to be brought forward due to the unavailability of a venue on that day.
Beatrice Chebet finished third in the women’s 10,000m, but the double Olympic champion revealed afterwards that her focus was simply on ensuring selection for Tokyo and to practice running as a team alongside her compatriots.
Running in cool conditions, African Games champion Janeth Chepngetich took victory in 30:27.02 ahead of Agnes Jebet Ngetich (30:27.38) and Chebet (30:27.52), all three producing the fastest ever times recorded at altitude.
“Running alongside Janet and Agnes was amazing,” said Chebet, who had already guaranteed her selection at 5000m thanks to her run – and world record – at the Prefontaine Classic earlier this season. “We were running as a team to see how we are going to operate at the World Championships in Tokyo.”
Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich continued her strong form in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, winning in 9:09.44. Doris Lemngole and Caren Chebet clocked 9:24.69 and 9:34.91 in second and third respectively. Edmund Serem won the men’s event in 8:38.91.
The men’s 1500m was a repeat of the recent Kenyan Championships, as 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot and 2022 world U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot battled for top honours. Reynold emerged victorious again, winning in 3:48.96 ahead of Timothy (3:49.07) as Brian Komen placed third (3:49.11).
“I have been working on improving my speed in the final 100m, so I made sure to push hard for a good position,” said Reynold. “I am satisfied now because for the past two weeks, I could hardly sleep, this race was all I could think about.”
Nelly Chepchirchir continued her unbeaten streak this year to take the women’s 1500m in 4:05.09 ahead of Susan Ejore (4:05.24) and Dorcas Ewoi (4:08.08).
In the absence of Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Nicholas Kebenei dominated the men’s 800m, winning in 1:43.54. Kelvin Loti (1:43.90) and Alex Kipng’etich (1:44.40) were second and third respectively.
Cornelius Kemboi stunned a strong field to win the men’s 5000m in 13:38.46. Matthew Kipsang and Kelvin Rotich finished second (13:38.87) and third (13:39.13).
Sylvia Abigael Wafula for World Athletics
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