Selina Kosgei sprints home in 2003 Kenyan Champs 10,000m (© Omulo Okoth)
Commonwealth 10,000m champion Selina Kosgei produced a devastating sprint finish to beat a star-studded field that included marathon 'queens' Catherine Ndereba and Joyce Chepchumba en route to winning the 10,000m gold on the second day of the Kenyan Championships at the Kasarani stadium in the capital Nairobi.
The field was the cream of Kenyan running, Kosgei, Ndereba, Anastacia Ndereba, Chepchumba, Sally Barsosio, and Alice Timbilil. The terraces were burbling with whistles from fans sitting who were on the edges of their seats throughout the race.
Kosgei led the top group, who included Ndereba, the former holder of the world marathon best time, Chepchumba, who is the current New York City Marathon champion, and Irene Kwamba, breaking away midway in the race.
At the bell, Kosgei took off with Ndereba and Kwambai in hot pursuit. With 300 metres to finish, the 26-year-old prison wardress engaged a higher sprint gear, which the other competitors failed to respond to, and won in 32:51.4.
Eunice Jepkorir overtook Ndereba on the home stretch and finished second in 32:58.0 as Ndereba followed in 32:58.1.
"It was a strong field and I did not know I would win. However, I realised I had some extra strength in reserve which I used to win the race. Now I am waiting for the trials to fight for a place in the Kenyan team to (World Championships) Paris," said Kosgei.
Chepchumba, who finished sixth in 33:07.6, and Ndereba, have already been selected in the World marathon team, and said they were running to gain speed and represent their teams.
Earlier in the day, 1997 World champion steeplechaser Wilson Boit Kipketer was beaten into second place in the 3000m steeplechase semi-finals but proceeded to Saturday's final. Kipketer timed 8:36.4 behind little-known Julius Nyamu who won in 8:35.2. Commonwealth bronze medallist Abraham Cherono finished fourth in 8:38.0. Ezekiel Kemboi won the second semi-final in 8:39.0.
Last year's Boston and New York City marathon runner-up Christopher Cheboiboch will on Saturday face a star-studded 10,000m field that includes John Korir and Wilberforce Talel in the which is expected to highlight the Championships last day.
Omulo Okoth for the IAAF
Leading results:
MEN
100m semi final 1
1 Stanley Towett 10.71
2 Levi Wasike 10.89
3 Cosmas Kinyae 10.93
100m semi final 2
1 Evans Raro 10.88
2 Washington Nyakundi 10.91
3 Morris Muthoka 11.02
200m semi final 1
1 Levi Wasike 21.32
2 Cosmas Kinyae 21.56
3 Boaz Rotich 21.61
200m semi fnal 2
1 Vincent Mumo 20.5
2 Japheth Ogamba 21.2
3 George Kwoba 21.7
200m semi final 3
1 Ezra Sambu 20.8
2 Washington Nyakundi 21.4
3 Morris Muthoka 21.6
200m semi final 4
1 Joseph Wambulwa 21.52
2 Jacob Obosi 21.56
3 Stephen Bitok 21.6
800m semi final 1
1 Justus Koech 1:48.3
2 Michael Rotich 1:48.6
3 Ntambe Maswii 1:49.0
800m semi final 2
1 Ishmael Kobich 1:48.3
2 William Chirchir 1:48.5
3 Jolce Mutua 1:48.7
1500m semi final 1
1 Isaac Songok 3:44.0
2 Robert Rono 3:44.1
3 Gideon Gathimba 3:44.3
1500m semi final 2
1 James Geemi 3:44.1
2 Bernard Chirchir 3:44.4
3 Lord Torome 3:44.7
3000m SC semi final 1
1 Julius Nyamu 8:35.2
2 Wilson Boit 8:36.4
3 Abraham Cherono 8:38.0
Discus Final
1 Joshua Pondo 46.98
2 Kimeli Tanui 46.87
3 Eliud Wangila 46.84
Triple Jump Final
1 Remmy Limo 16.07
2 Paul Koech 15.63
3 Erick Kimutai 15.53
Shot Put Final
1 David Limo 14.22
2 David Terer 14.12
3 Richard Metet 13.98
WOMEN
100m semi final 1
1 Hellen Chemtai 12.0
2 Zippora Ratemo 12.3
3 Priscilla Isiaho 12.6
100m semi final 2
1 Annet Mwanzi 12.4
2 Shirley Kalunda 12.6
3 Joyce Sakari 12.8
200m semi final 1
1 Hellen Chemtai 24.24
2 Priscilla Isiaho 24.93
3 Elizabeth Muthoka 25.22
200m semi final 2
1 Jacinta Wambui 24.53
2 Josephine Nyarunda 24.75
3 Zippora Ratemo 25.35
800m semi final 1
1 Janet Busienei 2:12.9
2 Gladys Kwambai 2:14.1
3 Helen Juma 2:16.3
800m semi final 2
1 Jelagat Leting 2:13.0
2 Breaksides Chemtai 2:13.3
3 Tecla Chemtai 2:13.5
10,000m Final
1 Selina Kosgei 32:51.4
2 Eunice Jepkorir 32:58.0
3 Catherine Ndereba 32:58.1
High Jump Final
1 Mercy Cherotich 1.65
2 Janet Maiyo 1.57
3 Chelangat Bellion 1.57
Pole Vault Final
1 Grace Chelagat 2.15
2 Margaret Gikunju 2.00
Javelin Final
1 Cecilia Kiplangat 52.79
2 Grace Chepkwony 44.09
3 Pascaline Jeptanui 43.92
Long Jump Final
1 Hellen Chemtai 6.00
2 Caroline Kola 5.52
3 Zippora Ratemo 5.25
