by Justin Lagat
Geoffrey Kamoworor, photo by PhotoRun.net
Agnes Tirop, photo by PhotoRun.net
Agnes Tirop and Geoffrey Kamworor took the Kenyan 10,000m titles earlier today. Here’s what Justin Lagat had to say about the big day at the Kenyan Trials.
Agnes Tirop and Geoffrey Kamworor secure places in the Kenyan 10,000m team to the Doha world championships.
Today marked the end of an exciting three-day Kenyan national championships’ event in Nairobi. Except for the men and women 10,000m race in which the Athletics Kenya was using it to select the team to represent the country at the world championships in Doha, all the other events only acted as the national championships.
In the hotly contested men’s 10,000m event, Geoffrey Kamworor ran an amazing time of Geoffrey 27:24.76 at altitude to beat Rhonex Kipruto in 27:26.34 for second position and Rodgers Kwemoi in 27:26.92 for third place.
Agnes Tirop also ran a spectacular time of 31:25.00 edging Hellen Obiri who would take second in 31:25.38 in a sprint finish. Rosemary Wanjiru finished third in 31:26.22.
All the top three finishers in the two national trial events automatically made the team.
Most of the other events saw relatively new stars emerge to occupy national podium positions in various other events.
Benjamin Kigen became the new national 3000m steeplechase champion after timing 8:33.06 to win the race. Justus Kipkorir took second in 8:34.71 while Kennedy Njiru took third in 8:34.62.
In the women’s 800m finals, the young and emerging star, Jackline wambui clocked 2:00.01 to win it ahead of Emily Cherotich in 2:01.03 while Jarinter Mawia took third in 2:02.10. Eunice Sum finished fourth in 2:03.20.
Timothy cheruiyot did not run in his special event but still won the men’s 800m final in 1:43.11 ahead of Jonathan Kitilit in second and Cornelius Tuwei in third.
A completely new crop of runners emerged in the men’s 5000m, with Daniel Simuyu winning the race in 13:15.92. Robert Kiprop took second in 13:21.86 and Michael Kibet took third in13:25.49. It was almost a similar scenario in the women’s 5000m race with Sheila Chepkurui winning in15:23.69 ahead of Dorcas Kimeli in 15.26.05 and Eva Cherono in 15.27.73.
Pace Sports Management’s Winny Chebet won the women’s 1500m finals in 4:05.09 with Selah Jepleting taking second in 4:05.43 and Judith Jepleting taking third in 4:06.27. In the men’s race, Elijah Manangoi ran 3:37.36 to win it. Kumari Taki ran 3:37.44 for second place while Justus Soget ran 3:38.51 to finish third.
In the women’s 3000m steeplechase race, Fancy Cherono emerged the winner in 9:43.05 ahead of Mercy Wanjiru who ran 9:43.96 and Elizabeth Kimitei finishing 9:56.76 in third place.
The next big track and field event will be on 12th -13th next month during the national trials to select the Kenyan squad in the remaining events.
