Nairobi, Kenya – Former three times World Cross Country short course champion Edith Masai won the 10,000 metres on the second day of the Kenyan National Championships held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday (27).

Masai who faced stiff opposition from marathon aces Catherine Ndereba
and Rita Jeptoo managed to overhaul her opponents in the last 100 metres after trailing them for the best part of the race held on a cool sunny afternoon in the only second track final of championships.

Masai overtook Jeptoo first before engaging the World marathon champion Ndereba in a sprint which she won in 33:29.1. Ndereba, the 5000m/10,000m winner at the double during recent Kenyan Prisons Championships, clocked 33:29.6, with Jeptoo in third coming home in 33:31.0.

"I am glad with today's outcome as this gives me hope to try and qualify for Beijing Olympics during the trials on Saturday next week," said Masai who is the oldest Kenyan female athlete still active at the top of the sport having celebrated her 41st birthday.

"I had hoped to run in the marathon in Beijing. So running in the 10,000m will be a consolation," concluded Masai.

Later in the day African 800m champion Pamela Jelimo, assisted by World champion
Janeth Jepkosgei, led the Police team to victory in the finals of the 4x400m relay. The Police clocked 3:38.2 and were followed home by squads from the Armed Forces (3:55.2) and North Rift (3:56.0).

In event semi-finals, Gideon Gathimba won the men’s 1500m first heat in 3:45.5 after out-sprinting  Churchill Kipsang (3:45.8) and Vicson Polonet (3:46.7). Remmy Limo won the second semi in 3:46.7 with second placed Geoffrey Rono clocking 3:47.0 and Joseph Ereng (3:47.3)

Peter Njenga for the IAAF

Selected results

Finals

Women

10,000m
1: Edith Masai, 33:29.1
2: Catheine Ndereba, 33:29.6
3: Tota Busienei, 33:31.0
4: Elizabeth Rumokol, 33:33.7
5: Pauline Wangui, 33:42.0
6: Susan Tanui, 33:50.6
7: Antonina Ruto, 34:26.4
8: Jackline Nyangeri, 34:50.4

10km Race Walk
1: Mary Njoki, 50:40
2: Grance Wanjiru, 50:41
3: Jepngetich Kosgei, 54:15
4: Anna Ngathingi, 56:57
5: Rael Rotich, 57:36
6: Ruth Wanjiku, 59:49
7: Caroline Mwangi, 62:26
8: Rose Chepkosgei, 63:58

Semi finals

Men

400m
(1)
1: Vincent Mumo, 46.03
2: George Kwoba, 46.38
3: Geoffrey Ngeno, 46.71

(2)
1: Thomas Musembi, 46.16
2: Ezra Sambu, 46.19
3: Mark Mutai, 46.44

1500m
(1)
1: Gideon Gathimba, 3:45.5
2: Churchill Kipsang, 3:45.8
3: Vickson Polonet, 3:46.4

(2)
1: Remmy Limo, 3:46.7
2: Geoffrey Rono, 3:47.0
3: Joseph Ereng, 3:47.3

Women

200m
(1)
1: Joy Zakary, 24.12
2: Getrude Apollo, 25.18
3: Damaris Mbula, 25.62

(2)
1: Susan Nyarunda, 25.39
2: Zipporah Ratemo, 25.40
3: Ann Karauni, 25.70