Augustine Choge of Kenya wins the Junior men's race (© Getty Images)
Former Olympic and World 3,000m steeplechase champion Reuben Kosgei has returned to serious competition and his first stop is the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next month.
The highly talented runner who has been kept out of action by an Achilles Tendon injury since 2003 made it in the Kenyan team during the national trials here on Saturday when he finished second behind Wesley Kiprotich.
Kosgei: 'I am fully healed'
Kosgei, back to back champion in 2000 Sydney Olympics and the Worlds the following year, was very much his former self in this race devoid of all top ranked Kenyans who will give the club games a miss as they are unseasonably early.
He managed to stay behind early pace setter David Chemweno and Bisluke Kipkorir until the last three laps when he moved to the lead with Kiprotich not far behind on a warm afternoon at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani outside the capital.
He gradually started kicking at the bell and all appeared like a forgotten conclusion until Kiprotich, fourth in the World Athletics Final last year, overtook Kosgei going into the final water jump. He then sprinted to victory in 8:22.1, while Kosgei, confident Chemweno was no longer a threat, slowed towards the end to post 8:22.3.
Olympics champion Ezekiel Kemboi, who was absent with permission, was given the wild card third slot.
Said Kosgei: "I came to test my form and confirm that I was fully healed. I am happy I feel okay and ready to do national duty in Melbourne after being out for a long time."
5000m a 'training session' for Choge
World Cross Country junior champion Augustine Choge found the 5,000m field too easy to handle and beat second placed Joseph Ebuya, 18, by more than 20 metres en route to his 13:28.77 victory.
His only misgiving was lacking anybody to push him for a better time, making him remark that the race was like a training session.
"Today's race was simple and I felt like I was training because I was not burdened mentally by the presence of big names like Eliud Kipchoge or Benjamin Limo," said Choge who was a member of the Kenyan team (1500m) in at the World Championships in Helsinki last year but failed to live up to expectation due to inexperience in his own admission.
Joseph Ebuya, winner of the 8Km cross country race during Discovery Kenya last week in Eldoret, posted 13:34.93 and will be the youngest of the three.
Choge singled out Australian World championships bronze medallist Craig Motram as the biggest threat to Kenya.
"He proved he can mix with the best in Helsinki and I think he will be very difficult running at home in front of an adoring crowd."
Like Ezekiel Kemboi, Limo was given a wild card since he will be running in the the national Cross Country championships on Saturday. Choge will also also be in action for the North Rift team.
Isabella Ochichi won the women's 5000m in 15:47.7, well ahead of Ines Chenonge (16:08.0) and Lucy Kabuu (16:13.0) and will be flying the national flag alone, officials decided.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Leading results:
MEN -
400m:
1. Thomas Musembi, 45.91
2. Ezra Sambu, 46.27
3. Selesio Njiru, 46.47
4. Vincent Mumo, 46.50
800m:
1. John Litien, 1:49.10
2. Alex Kipchirchir, 1:49.13
3. Cosmas Rono, 1:49.42
4. Ismael Kombich, 1:49.58
1500m:
1. Harun Keitany, 3:41.83
2. Jonathan Komen, 3:42.50
3. Churchill Kipsang, 3:42.52
4. Samson Surum, 3:42.58
5000m:
1. Augustine Choge, 13:28.77
2. Joseph Ebuya, 13:34.93
3. Barnard Chepkonga, 13:58.39
10,000m:
1. Barnabas Kosgei, 28:50.4
2. Geoffrey Siele, 28:54.4
3. Paul Lagat, 29:01.3.
3000m steeplechase:
1. Wesley Kiprotich, 8:22.1
2. Reuben Kosgei, 8:22.3
3. David Chemweno, 8:24.6
WOMEN -
400m:
1. Florence Wasike, 54.70
2. Liz Muthoka, 55.67
3. Justine Bayigga (Uganda), 57.03
800m:
1. Janet Jepkosgei, 2:05.58
2. Caroline Chepkwony, 2:06.06
3. Annet Mwanzi, 2:07.02
1500m:
1. Jeruto Kiptum, 4:18.72
2. Viola Kibiwott, 4:22.37
3. Irene Chelagat, 4:22.85
5000m:
1. Isabella Ochichi, 15:47.7
2. Iness Chenonge, 16:08.0
3. Lucy Kabuu, 16:13.0
3000m steeplechase:
1. Jackline Chemwok, 10:06.15
2. Esther Chebor, 10:12.99
3. Charity Kiprono, 10:30.56
Kenya Commonwealth Games team:
Men:
400m: Thomas Musembi, Ezra Sambu, Selesio Njiru, Vincent Mumo, Ismael Kombich.
800m: John Litei, Alex Kipchrchir, Cosmas Rono.
1500m: Haroun Kaitany, Jonathan Komen, Churchill Kipsang.
5000m: Augustine Choge, Joseph Ebuya, Benjamin Limo.
10000m: Barnabas Kosgei, Geoffrey Sielei, Paul Lagat.
3,000m steeplechase: Reuben Kosgei, Ezekiel Kemboi, Wesley Kiprotich.
400m hurdles. Daniel Katonon
Marathon: Jacob Yator, Fred Mogaka, Julius Kirwa Choge.
20km walk: David Kimutai.
Women:
400m: Florence Wasike.
800m: Janat Jepkosgei, Caroline Chepkwony.
1500m: Jeruto Kiptum, Viola Kibiwott
3000m steeplechase: Esther Chebor.
5000m: Isabella Ochichi.
10,000m: Evelyn Wambui.
Marathon: Hellen Cherono, Rose Nyangicha.
Coaches: John Anzrah (sprints), George Kariuki (walks), Julius Kororia (long distances), Barnard Boiyo (marathon).
Team manager: Ibrahim Hussein, assistant, Francis Afundi.
