Sammy Kipketer (KEN) sprints to victory in Brussels (© Getty Images)
Nyeri, Kenya - Francis Kipkoech won his second 10,000 metres race within a week during Athletics Kenya's third weekend meeting in Nyeri, 150km north of Nairobi, today, Saturday.
Kipkoech on track for share of cash prize
Despite hot weather conditions and an uneven track, the little known Kipkoech posted 29:8.4 for the 10,000m and was followed home by Isaac Arusei in 29:12.2. His would be strongest challenger Nelson Kiplagat failed to show up and therefore his victory put him in a better position to claim a share of US$15,000 for athletes who win in four of the seven series including the nationals.
In the 5000m, 2000 World Junior 5000m champion Gordon Mugi failed to upstage Francis Komu. Mugi running infront of his legion of supporters was pipped to the tape by Komu who clocked 14:6.3 with Mugi stopping the watch at 14:6.5.
Kipketer - heat winner but withdraws from the final
Commonwealth 5000m champion Sammy Kipketer, moved down a distance for speed and was a winner of one of the qualifying heats in the 1500m on Friday, but pulled out of Saturday's final, paving way for Philemon Chemoan to win. Chemoan from the nearby police training college sorted out with Komen Kipchirchir in a photo finish. He clocked 3:43:0 to second placed Kipchirchir's 3:43.1.
Joseph Mutua lost to Joel Marwa in the men's 800m in 1:49.1 against 1:49.6.
Ngotho looking for Olympic qualifier
Despite winning in the heats, Margaret Ngotho, the individual short course bronze medallist at the 2000 World Cross Country Championships lost to Susan Muthoni in the 1500m. She was however in an upbeat mood saying she wants to concentrate on this race, hoping to reach the Olympic Games qualifying mark before the nationals. Muthoni clocked 4:23.0 and Ngotho 4:24.0.
Results
Men:
800m - 1: Joel Marwa (Thika) 1:49.1 2: Mwenga Mutua (Mab) 1:49.6 3: Justus Koech, (Nairobi) 1:50.0 4: Denis Mokaya, (Nairobi) 1:50:0 5: Evans Ndungu, (Isiolo) 1:50.5
1500m 1: Philemon Chemoan, (KPTC) 3:43:0 2: Komen Kipchirchir, (KPTC) 3:43.1, 3: Isaac Sang (KPC) 3:43.3 4: Benjamin Cheruyot (Nanyuki) 3:50.4 5: Joseph Kosgei (Esmi) 3:53.2
5000m 1: Francis Komu (Nyahururu, 14:06.3 2: Gordon Mugi (Ind) 14:06:5 3: William Chobon (Mab) 14:10:5 4: James Gatanda (Lab) 14:13:4 5: Joseph Nganga (Ind) 14:16:0
10,000m 1: Francis Kipkoech (Kim) 29:08.4 2: Isaac Arusei (Kim) 29:12.2 3 3: Charles Wambua (Mab) 29:03.40 4: Titus Ndegwa (Y-runners) 29:14.0
3000 m steeplechase 1: Richard Matelong (Police) 8:53.0 2: Collins Kesikei (Kim) 8:57.5 3: Calleb Ngetich (Mab) 8:03.0 4: Daniel Kamau (Nyeri) 9:19.4 5: Nicholas Kiboi (Mab) 9:27.2
Women:
800m 1: Gladys Igwamba (KPTC) 2:08.3 2: Margaret Wangari (Mfae) 2:12.1 3: Elwak Josephine (Ind) 2:13.8 4: Chep Chirchir (Map) 2:15.8 5: Mercy Wanjiru, (Mfae) 2:16.2.
1500m 1: Susan Muthoni, (AF) 4:23.0 2: Margaret Ngotho (Ind) 4:24.0 3: Penniah Wanjiru (Ind) 4:32.0 4: Florence Jepkemboi (HPTC) 4:33.6
5000m 1: Grace Momanyi (KIM) 16:12.3 2: Joska Obae (KPC) 16:15.4 3: Rahab Ndungu (KIM) 16:20.7 4: Ann Wambui (IND) 16:22.8 5: Penniah Wanjiru (IND) 16:45.0
10,000m 1: Monica Wangari (Central) 35:21.6 2: Cecilia Wangui (Central) 35:33.7 3: Alice Ndirangu (Central) 36:14.8 4: Alice Muthoni (Central) 36:31.6
