Susan Chepkemei (KEN) (© Getty Images)
NairobiFormer twotime World Half Marathon silver medallist Susan Chepkemei on Friday showed huge depth as she lapped almost the entire field on her way to winning the 10,000m as the Kenya Prisons championships started at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Chepkemei beat a strong field that included the reigning World marathon champion Catherine Ndereba to win the 25 lap race in 32:44.4.
Chepkemei eyes 10,000m spot in Helsinki squad
Upon winning the race, Chepkemei, who was third in the London marathon on April 17 and was runner up in New York City Marathon last year said she would concentrate on the 10,000m race for the World Championships in Helsinki.
"I want to represent the country in the 10,000m. This is my plan for the moment," Chepkemei said after winning the race which saw her open a gap of over 200m between her and second placed Ndereba.
Chepkemei, who was named as a reserve in the Kenyan marathon team to Helsinki said she will be running in one of the races in Europe to make the qualifying time for the World Championships.
She, however, did not specify which meeting she has been invited to run in.
She also said she is not sure if she would run in the national championships but her manager and the coach would decide.
Good speed training for Ndereba
Ndereba, who finished second, said the race was good in building her speed for the World Championships where she hopes to successfully defend her title.
She thanked Chepkemei for putting up a fast pace as it also helped her to run a better time.
"The race was good to me and my preparation for the World Championships is going on well and I hope with the help of God I will do well in Helsinki," Ndereba said. She clocked 33:29.3.
She was the only athlete not lapped in the race as third placed Judy Kiplimo was lapped.
Other big names including the two times Boston marathon champion Margaret OKayo and Commonwealth 10,000m champion Selina Kosgei did not take part in the race.
Rael Michira was fourth in 36:34.3 while Emma Muthoni was fifth in 37:29.1.
The men’s 10,000m race was won by little known John Gwandaru who clocked 29:13.1. Edwin Koech was second in 29:15.5 while Alfonce Yatich managed a third place after clocking 29:27.2.
Lucas Kibet who was tipped to win the race did not finish as he was forced to retire in the fifth lap.
Double Hurdles record for Wasike
Florence Wasike was the toast of the meet in the sprints as she did not only win the 100m Hurdles event but she also broke a 13-year-old Prisons record in both the 100m Hurdles and the 400m Hurdles.
She ran a time of 59.0 seconds in her heat in the 400m Hurdles and broke Mary Chebet’s record of 62.1 seconds. In the shorter 100m Hurdles she ran 15.2 seconds which also broke Chebet’s record of 15.8 seconds.
Omulo Okoth for the IAAF
Results
Women
100m Hurdles
1. Florence Wasike 15.2
2. Callen Nyakawa 15.8
3. Pauline Cheyech 20.0
10,000m
1. Susan Chepkemei 32.44.4
2. Catherine Ndereba 33.29.3
Discus
1. Cecilia Kiplagat 37.15m
2. Anne Too 34.82
3. Susan Kobiret 30.94
Shot put
1. Jane Wanja 11.29
2. Anna Too 11.28m
3. Cecicilia Kiplagat 11.02m
Men
10,000m
1. John Gwandaru 29.13.1
2. Edwin Koech 29.15.1
3. Alfonse Yatich 29.27.2
High Jump
1. Jackson Kimoi 1.90m
2. Richard Rono 1.85m
3. Silvan Tanui 1.80m
Shot put
1. Elvis Kuya 11.51m
2. Peter Napeto 11.50m
3. Onesmus Kyalo 11.24m
Long Jump
1. Paul Koech 7.23m
2. John Rotich 6.78m
3. Robert Ngeno 6.76m
Javelin
1. Benjmanin Kimaiyo 55.96m
2. Morris Sibili 53.02m
3. Josphat Rotich 51.65m
