Start of the men's 12km race of the 2004 Kenya Police cross country championships (© Peter Njenga)
Nairobi, Kenya2001 World 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi rediscovered his winning ways today, when he stormed from behind with 100 metres to go to win the 4km short course race at the annual Kenya Police Cross Country Championships in Nairobi.
The championships which had been brought forward 24 hours from their originally planned starting time were held in mild weather conditions at a racecourse in the outskirts of the Kenyan capital.
"I purposely held back before moving to the lead to test my sprint finish," said Kamathi who so famously vanquished Haile Gebrselassie at the 2001 World Championships. "I have had a spate of injuries but now I am happy I have recovered. But I will compete in the long course race during the nationals."
Kamathi finished in a time of 12:02.5 and was cheered to victory by just a handful of fans as at short notice the meeting had been brought forward by a day.
Early leader Suleiman Simotwa beat seasoned steeplechaser Julius Nyamu for second place in 12:04.3, against the latter’s 12:04.07.
However, fourth placed Ben Maiyo, 25 years-old, who has personal track bests of 13:02 and 27:07, was left well adrift, unable to keep up with the pace of this race. "I am just starting serious training and I am sure three weeks are enough to realise my full potential," said Maiyo.
Kamathi said his recent defeats by Ethiopia’s Gebre Gebremariam and Kenyan compatriot Thomas Kiplitan in Valladolid (12 January 2004), only a week after losing to Ugandan Bonface Kiprop in Amorebieta are now history.
"My focus is on the World championships in Brussels although the biggest hurdle is the nationals as making the top six is indeed a tall order."
In the men's Long Course race, Joseph Ng'ang'a who was running as a guest easily beat Johnson Muiruri to clock 37:40.8. Muiruri was eight seconds adrift - 37:48.6.
Ochichi unopposed
Isabella Ochichi, who took fourth place at the 2003 World Cross Country Championships over the short distance and finished 6th over 5000m in Paris, proved overwhelmingly superior in the women's long course race. After taking the lead at mid-stage, she even slowed the down later on when nobody was in sight to challenge her. She also won this race in 2003.
Ochichi posted a winning 28:30.5 and was followed home by little known Joscar Osore (29:49.0) and Susan Njeri (30:42.5).
Peninah Wanjiru won the short course race in 14:53.8.
Results:
Men 12km: 1. Joseph Ng'ang'a, Guest, 37:40.8; 2. Johnson Muiruri, Guest, 37:48.6; 3. Kipyegon Kirui, Nyanza, 37:58.0; 4. Jacob Kigen, Eastern, 38:00.1; 5. Paul Kimugu, North Eastern, 38:09.2; 6. Reuben Rono, KPC, 38:27.1.
Men short course: 1. Charles Kamathi, Eastern, 12:02.5; 2. Suleiman Simotwa, KPC, 12:04.3; 3. Julius Nyamu, Kapu, 12:04.7; 4. Ben Maiyo, Kapu, 12:05.3; 5. Richard Matelong, Kapu, 12:05.7; 6. Elkhana Angwenyi, Eastern, 12:09.4.
Women 8km:1. Isabella Ochichi, Kapu, 28:30.5; 2. Joscar Osore, Kapu, 29:49.0; 3. Susan Njeri, Guest, 30:52.5; 4. Everlyne Cherotich, Guest, 31:01.4; 5. Lucy Karimi, Kapu, 31:32.3; 6. Anne Wasare, Guest, 31:56.6.
Women short course: 1. Peninah Wanjiru, Guest, 14:53.8; 2. Mary Wangare, Guest, 14:58.3; 3. Esther Maina, KPC, 15:06.6; 4. Francisca Gakungu, 15:43.2; 5. Miriam Muthoni, Guest, 15:48.0; 6. Lucy Njeri, Kapu, 16:20.4.
