Richard Mateng heads the Kakamega 3000m Steeplechase (© Njenga)
Francis Koech outsprinted Nelson Kiplagat on the home stretch of dusty and bumpy murram
track to win the 10,000 metres race at the second Athletics Kenya weekend meeting in Kakamega, some 380km west of the capital Nairobi on Saturday (27 March).
Most top athletes including those at last weekend's Brussels World Cross Country stayed away.
Despite the poor track surface, Koech mastered the conditions in his bid to make the grades and competition opportunities in big meetings this year early in the race. Then he opened up in the last 100m to post an impressive time of 28:34.7on a hot and humidy day.
Kiplagat, winner of three cross country national meetings late last year and pre-race favourite, posted 28:45.5 which affected his bid to claim part of the US$15,000 prize to be shared by athletes who win four races including the nationals this season. Further down the field in third was the unknown athlete Julius Kiptoo in 28:55.0.
Koech said his goal is to continue attending the rest of the weekend meetings hoping that he will qualify for Athens Olympics.
Edwin Koech easily won the men's 5000m race (13:54.00) ahead of Willy Kirui (13:56.1).
Local hero Joel Marwa won the 800m in 1:48.8 followed home by Vincent Kemboi (1:48.9).
3000m Steeplechase was won by Richard Mateng in 8:36.5 (shown in photo).
Omoro dominates
The women's races who dominated by more experienced athletes led by Jane Omoro who proved too good for the weak opposition by clocking 34:51.3 in the 10,000m, as Maria Busienei struggled home in second position (36:02.4). Omoro also finished fourth in the 5000m as she is working on her speed and endurance.
Inness Chenonge, fifth in last year's Lisbon half marathon, failed to keep up with winner Cheruto Kiptubi in the 1500m as she clocked 4:18.0 compared to the latter's 4:15.2.
Paris Marathon champion Beatrice Omwanza was third in 4:26.0. She also finished sixth in the 5000m.
"I am just taking it easy, trying to see which event suits me on the track this year and hopefully qualifying for the Olympic games," Omwanza said.
Results:
800m:
1. Joel Marwa, 1:48.8; 2. Vincent Kemboi, 1:48.9; 3; Nahashon Ruto, 1:49.2; 4. Dickson Polomet, 1:49.6; 5. Emmanuel Kemboi, 1:49.8; 6. Samson Surum, 1:50.2.
1500m:
1. Alex Kipchirchir, 3:34.3; 2. Evans Kipchirchir, 3:41.3; 3. Edward Mutai, 3:41.6; 4.Daniel Wambugu, 3:42.0; 5. Samson Kiplagat, 3:42.2; 6.Elijah Boit, 3:43.2.
5000m:
1. Edwin Koech, 13:54.0; 2. Willy Kirui, 13:56.1; 3. Richard Matelong, 14:02.3; 4. Peter Kamau, 14:03.0; 5. Elisha Birgen, 14:03.1; 6. Isaac Sang, 14:03.4.
10,000m: 1. Franis Koech, 28:34.7; 2. Nelson Kiplagat,
28:45.4; 3. Julius Kiptoo, 29:28.3; 4. John Kipchumba,
29:30.4; 5. Joshua Kimei, 29:38.4.
3000m Steeplechase:
1. Richard Mateng, 8:36.5; 2. Amos Kipchirchir, 8:38.4; 3. Michael Ndiwa, 8:41.5; 4. Laisly Kiprotich, 8:45.3; 5. Colins Kosgei, 8:48.6; 6. Marko Cheruiyot, 8:48.2.
Women
800m:
1. Gladys Kwambai, 2:11.8; 2. Janet Busienei, 2:12.1; 3. Caroline Jelagat, 2:15.7; 4. Josphine Elwak 4. 2:17.3; 5. Truphena Tarus, 2:21.6.
1500m:
1. Cheruto Kiptubi, 4:15.2; 2. Innes Chenonge, 4:18.0; 3. Beatrice Omwanza, 4:26.0; 4. Sharon Lavangwe, 4:40.7; 5. Jackline Nyatibu, 4:50.2; 6.Monica Muthoni, 4:55.8.
5000m:
1. Jesica Obare, 16:15.2; 2. Monica Otwori, 16:24.0; 3. Sharon Cherot, 16:24.6; 4. Jane Omoro, 16:25.3; 5. Nancy Rop, 16:37.5; 6. Beatrice Mwanza, 16:43.3.
10,000m:
1. Jane Omoro, 34:51.3; 2. Maria Busienei, 36:02.4; 3. Peninah Arusei, 36:08.2; 4. Lucy Karemi, 36:23.2; 5. Emily Rotich, 36:31.2; 6. Esther Mapesa, 40:13.0.
2000m steeplechase: 1. Mbura Muanyao, 7:03.0; 2. Beatrice Misoi, 7:04.3; 3. Maximilan Kemboi, 7:27.7.
