by Justin Lagat
In a season that most track stars would call “off-season,” vibrant and entertaining track action took place at the University of Eldoret’s track facility. Olympic, world, and Commonwealth champions, including Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Noah Kibet, Sarah Moraa, Mercy Cherono, and Wiseman Were, featured in various events.
Christine Njoki won the women’s 10,000m race, arguably one of the most competitive events on the second day of athletics, after breaking away from a leading pack of three in the race’s final stages. Mercy Cherono, the 2013 5000m world silver medalist and 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion, finished second after she had also finished second in the 5000m race the previous day.
“I am preparing to run the track next year. It is my first time running on track, so I have yet to decide if I will do the 5000m or the 10,000m in my quest to make the team to the Tokyo World Championships. Running with Mercy Cherono today gave me the confidence that I can do well on track,” said Njoki.
The 25-year-old, who trains under coach Ben Maiyo at Newton Management, says her racing next year could begin early with the Valencia 10K in January.
The men’s 10,000m race was the first event on the meet’s first day. Ernest Kimutai from Nakuru navigated through a densely populated field that raised dust on the track to emerge victorious in 29:12.4 ahead of Vincent Towett (29:13.2) and Keneth Kiprono (29:15.1).
The other exciting event on Day two was the men’s 5000m races, in which relatively new stars with great potential made their marks. Ezekiel Ruto, who trains at St. Patrick’s Iten with coach Ian, broke away from his competitors in the last 1000m to create a comfortable lead on his way to winning his heat in 13:57.5. This was a second faster than the time impressively ran, in a solo run, by Felix Kibet in the first heat.
Mirriam Cherop, who was part of the quartet that won the mixed relay at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships and who won silver at the 2018 World U20 championships, was the star of the track meet after winning both the women’s 800m and 1500m races, in spectacular performances.
After failing to secure a win in the men’s 1500m heats on Day 1, the 2022 world indoor silver medalist, Noah Kibet, returned to his specialty distance to win his heat -in the men’s 800m race. This is a great reassurance of his form as he plans to begin his World Athletics Indoor Series season.
Olympic 800-meter Champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi ran in the 4 x 400-meter relay, moving his team from 5th to 4th in his anchor leg.
Sarah Moraa, the reigning 800m World U20 and African champion, featured in the women’s 1500m race. She said she had yet to start her proper training for track and was just there to have fun.
