Robert Rono wins the 1500m at the 2003 Kenyan Armed Forces Championships (© Patrick Olum/Omulo Okoth)
Nairobi, KenyaOlympic 1500m champion Noah Ngeny's ambition to make a comeback to track excellence this season suffered a major setback, when he failed to finish his speciality event at the Kenya Armed Forces Athletics Championships ended in Nairobi, Saturday 7 June.
Ngeny, who was among the top favourites for the race after winning his heat on Friday, started off well and was second after the first lap to Hilary Maritim, who had set a searing pace with Robert Rono behind them. Maritim dropped out after the second lap allowing Ngeny to take the lead.
However, Ngeny appeared to struggle after the third lap when Richard Geemi overtook him. With 250m to finish, he slowed down and came to a halt, with his head down.
”I am very disappointed. I did not expect this to happen to me today. I started struggling after the first lap. It looks like the effects of the motor accident I suffered in 2001 are not yet fully healed. I will continue with my season's plans which are targeting a place in the Kenyan team to World Championships in Paris," said Ngeny, 23.
The race was won by Robert Rono in 3:39.25, with Geemi coming second in 3:39.99 and David Kiplak third in 3:40.34.
John Korir, Kenya's national cross country champion, won the 10,000m in 28:25.0, and beat Paul Koech into second place in 28:45.2. Commonwealth champion Wilberforce Talel trailed in fifth place in 29:13.2.
In the 5000m race, 1999 World Cross Country short race champion Benjamin Limo beat Sammy Kipketer in a sprint finish on the home stretch to win in 13:39.44. Kipketer, the Commonwealth champion was second in 13:39.47. The 1998 and 2000 World Cross Country short race champion John Kibowen was third in 13:45.95.
Reigning World Half-Marathon champion Paul Kosgei trailed through the finish in 15th place after staying with the leading group up to the last lap.
Commonwealth 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Abraham Cherono won the steeplechase race in 8:29.0, beating 1997 World champion Wilson Boit Kipketer into third place in 8:41.5. Kipkurui Misoi was second in 8:31.0.
Iness Chenonge, who won the bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, last year, easily won the women's 5000m in 16:15.62, after shaking off 1997 10,000m World 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio, who was second in 16:22.71.
Barsosio was also beaten yesterday in the 10,000m race into third place by Irene Kwambai, who won in 33:49.7, followed by Winfred Kwamboka who clocked 34:14.3. Barsosio, who had produced a bouncing baby boy one-and-half years ago, was timed in 34:36.0.
Irene Lemika, won the women's 2000m steeplechase race in 6:33.97.
Omulo Okoth for IAAF
Selected results:
MEN
100m
1 Levy Wasike 10.70
2 Evans Raro 10.75
3 Stanley Towet 10.77
200m
1 Vincent Mumo 21.15
2 Levy Wasike 21.41
3 David Kirui 21.53
400m
1 David Kirui 46.48
2 Victor Kibet 46.60
3 Sammy Rono 47.10
800m
1 Michael Rotich 1:46.97
2 Justus Koech 1:47.30
3 Robert Rono 1:47.38
1500m
1 Robert Rono 3:39.25
2 Richard Geemi 3:39.99
3 David Kiplak 3:40.34
5000m
1 Benjamin Limo 13:39.44
2 Sammy Kipketer 13:39.47
3 John Kibowen 13:45.95
10,000m
1 John Korir 28:25.0
2 Paul Koech 28:45.2
3 Paul Biwott 28:56.2
110m H
1 Julius Bungei 14.66
2 Daniel Kosgei 14.68
3 Mike Rop 15.09
400m H
1 Vincent Mumo 50.53
2 Hilary Maritim 50.76
3 Julius Bungei 51.25
3000m SC
1 Abraham Cherono 8:29.0
2 Kipkurui Misoi 8:31.0
3 Wilson Boit 8:41.5
WOMEN
100m
1 Helen Chemtai 12.08
2 Josephine Nyarunda 12.27
3 Priscilla Isiaho 12.53
200m
1 Helen Chemtai 24.1
2 Josephine Nyarunda 24.3
3 Jacinta Wambui 24.6
400m
1 Josephine Nyarunda 54.05
2 Priscilla Isiaho 54.88
3 Helen Chemtai 59.07
800m
1 Colleta Chepchirchir 2:09.60
2 Braksides Chematia 2:15.26
3 Caroline Chelanga 2:16.21
1500m
1 Naomi Mugo 4:13.91
2 Mary Wangari 4:14.53
3 Josephine Wanjiku 4:19.11
5000m
1 Iness Chenonge 16:15.62
2 Sally Barsosio 16:22.71
3 Monica Otwori 16:26.11
10,000m
1 Irene Kwambai 33:49.7
2 Winfred Kwamboka 34:14.3
3 Sally Barsosio 34:36.0
100m H
1 Sarah Chepchumba 15.48
2 Caroline Kola 15.58
3 Georgina Mbinya 16.20
400m H
1 Jematia Chemaringo 1:04.84
2 Caren Nyakwara 1:05.96
3 Sarah Chepchumba 1:11.16
2000m SC
1 Irene Lemika 6:33.97
2 Chelagat Kigen 6:53.86
3 Lydia Kurgat 7:00.49
