Pauline Korkwang (left) leads Veronica Nyarwai and Beatrice Chepngeno at the Kenyan World Youth Championships trials. Nyarwai won the race. (© Omulo Okoth)
Veronica Nyarwai, who won the silver medal in the Junior race at the last World Cross Country Championships in France last March, on Wednesday raced into the Kenyan team to next month's IAAF World Youth Championships during the trials in Nairobi.
Nyarwai, a standard pupil at Kagondo Primary in Nyahururu on the foot of Mount Kenya, posted an impressive 8:52.9 to win the 3000m during the Trials held at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani.
Nyarwai ran a tactical race and remained among the leading pack for most of the race. In the first five laps she was between second and third positions.
She sprinted to the front in the second last lap as hitherto front runner Pauline Korkwang, who settled for the second place in 9.00.0, failed to respond.
After the trials, Athletics Kenya named the national team for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Marrakech, Morocco, from July 14-17.
World junior 6km bronze medallist, Beatrice Chepngeno took the third position in 9:06.3, from Gladys Chemweno (9:20.6) and Alphine Tuliamuk (9:20.60), who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The 2003 World Youth silver medallist, Pascalia Jepkorir was relegated to the eighth position in 9:36.0 behind Pamela Lisoreng in 9:29.7. All the top eight runners ran within the qualifying time of 9.40.
Nyarwai has been in top shape since the domestic cross country season started last November where she won all her races and a share of the Sh1m ($12,500) Jackpot to boot. Officials said she is likely to double up in the 1500m in Marrakech.
Equally impressive was the boys’ 3000m where the top 10 ran within the qualifying time of 8:55. Muinde Matheka, a form two student at Kyulu Secondary, produced a kick in the last 150-metres to carry the day. Matheka won in 8:00.2.
John Sambul was second in 8:02.6 while Kevin Nyambane was placed third in 8:05.7. Bisluke Kipkorir won in the boys’ 2000m Steeplechase winning in a time of 5:33.1. Abel Mutai came second in 5:33.4 while Patrick Lagat was third in 5:33.5.The top eight runners finished inside the qualifying time of 6:10.
Leornard Kibet won the boys’ 1500m after being timed at 3:48.0. Wesley Cheruiyot was second (3:48.2) while Gideon Githua was third in 3:48.8.
In other girls’ events, Lydia Wafula was beaten to the third place in the 800m timed at 2:08.5. Winnie Chebet won the race in 2:08.1 and was followed in the second place by Flavious Kwamboka in 2:08.3.
Irene Chelagat won the girls’ 1500m after clocking 4:16.6. Sheila Chepkirui was second in 4:17.0 while Viola Kiplagat came third in 4:19.5.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
Results
Men
100m
1.Stephen Baraza 11.0
2.Benajmin Musyimi 11.2
3.Stanley Ambala 12.2
200m
1.John Kituu 22.2
2. Benjamin Musyimi 22.3
3.Mathew Rotich 22.6
400m
1.Julius Kirwa 47.4
2.Edwin Kipngeno 48.3
3.Shadrack Kipngetich 48.6
800m
1.Gilbert Kipkurui 1:49.1
2.Jackson Kivuva 1:49.6
3. Nashion Sang 1:49.7
400m Hurdles
1. Robert Birgen 52.7
2. Dennis Kimeu 53.0
3. Mathew Rotich 53.9
110m Hurdles
1.John Kituu 14.3
2.Wesley Mengich 14.8
3.Emmanuel Kimeu 15.0
1500m
1.Leonard Kibet 3:48.0
2.Wesley Cheruiyot 3:48.2
3.Gideon Githua 3:48.8
3000m
1. Muinde Matheka 8:00.2
2. John Sambu 8:02.6
3. Kevin Nyambane 8:05.7
2000m Steeplechase
1.Bisluke Kipkorir 5.33.1
2.Abel Mutai 5:33.4
3.Patrick Lagat 5:33.5.
Women
100m
1.Marcela Nathan 13.1
2.Evaline Otiang 13.3
3. Della Chepkorir (13.5
200m
1.Damaris Kitheka 26.4
2.Biarose Chepkoech 26.5
3. Marcela Nathan 26.7
400m
1.Pamela Jelimo 57.0
2.Vivian cherutich 57.6
3. Milka Wamaitha 59.0
800m
1.Winnie Chebet 2:08.1
2.Flavius Kwamboka 2:08.3
3.Lydia Wafula (2:08.5)
1500m
1.Irene Chalagat 4:16.6
2.Sheila Chepkirui 4:17.0
3.Viola Kiplagat 4:19.5
3000m
1.Veronica Nyarwai 8:52.9
2.Pauline Korkwang 9.00.0
3. Beatrice Chepngeno 9:06.3
