Benjamin Limo on his way to the 1999 World XC short course title (© Getty Images)
Former World champions Sally Barsosio (track) and Benjamin Limo (Cross Country) reigned at the Kenya National Championships today, so reliving old memories of their stardom.
Barsosio, World champion at 10,000m in 1997, won the women's 5000m from Esther Chemtai and Mercy Wanjiru. She stopped the clock in 15:43.2, while Chemutai and Wanjiru clocked 15:46.3 and 15:48.0 respectively.
"This is to prepare me for next week's World Championships trials and, who knows, possibly a place in the Kenyan for Helsinki," said Barsosio.
Limo, who won the 4km race at the 1999 World Cross Country Championships in Belfast, won the men's 5000m in 13:23.3, as William Tarus and Mangata Ndiwa followed in 13:23.7 and 13:24.0 respectively.
Viola Kibiwott, who won the 1500m World Junior title in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2002 and has twice won the World Cross Country junior title, was beaten into second place in the 800m by Caroline Chepkwony, who was timed in 2:03.7. Kibiwott clocked 2:05.2.
Running at a less familiar race for her, Olympic 5000m silver medallist Isabella Ochichi finished second in 1500m behind Mercy Wangare, who won in 4:14.2, as the former athlete was timed in 4:14.5. Iness Chenonge was third in 4:14.7.
In the absence of more established runners, Barnabas Koskei, winner of the bronze medal in junior men's race at last World Cross Country Championships in France last March, won the men's 10,000m in 28:05.6 with Peter Ndegwa second in 28:07.0 and Gilbert Okari third in 28:11.0.
Elizabeth Muthoka (200m), Vincent Mumo (200m), Sammy Kositany (Javelin), Florence Wasike (400m Hurdles) and Luka Kiprop (Long Jump) all won their respective events to join Hellen Chemutai and Cecilia Kiplagat for a share of the Sh1m ($12,500) Athletics Kenya Jackpot.
Omulo Okoth for the IAAF
Leading results:
MEN
100m
1. Kipkemoi Soi 10.84
2. Japheth Ogamba 10.92
3. Tony Chirchir 10.97
200m
1. Vincent Mumo 21.56
2. Thomas Musembi 21.67
3. Kipkemboi Soi 21.76
400m
1. Julius Bungei 50.24
2. Rere Sang' 51.22
3. Daniel Katonon 51.38
800m
1. Suleiman Simotwo 1:45.5
2. Cosmas Rono 1:45.7
3. Linus Ndiwa 1:46.3
1500m
1. Churchill Kipsang 3:40.2
2. Paul Meli 3:40.4
3. Vincent Rono 3:40.7
5000m
1. Benjamin Limo 13:23.3
2. William Tarus 13:23.7
3. Mangata Ndiwa 13:24.0
10,000m
1. Barnabas Koskei 28:05.6
2. Peter Ndegwa 28:07.0
3. Gilbert Okari 28:11.0
110mH
1. Daniel Kogei 14.56
2. Amon Chepsongol 14.68
3. Julius Bungei 15.02
3000m SC
1. Caleb Ngetich 8:27.1
2. Nathan Naibei 8:33.1
3. Abraham Chirchir 8:36.0
High Jump
1. Justus Musembi 2.05m
2. Stanlus Mutunga 2.03
3. Charles Kiragu 2.00
Long Jump
1. Luka Kiprop 7.63
2. Amos Too 7.35
3. Robert Kenei 7.25
Javelin
1. Sammy Kositany 68.22
2. Peter Saina 66.05
3. Paul Langat 64.08
Hammer
1. Morris Omoro 52.06
2. Kimeli Tanui 50.88
3. Paul Kipkorir 49.26
Discus
1. Joshua Pondo 49.09
2. Kimeli Tanui 46.86
3. David Terer 46.37
WOMEN
100m
1. Elizabeth Muthoka 11.97
2. Hellen Chemutai 12.12
3. Annet Mwanzi 12.17
200m
1. Elizabeth Muthoka 24.0
2. Hellen Chemutai 24.5
3. Jecinta Wambui 24.7
400m
1. Elizabeth Muthoka 52.75
2. Annet Mwanzi 53.23
3. Florence Wasike 53.31
800m
1. Caroline Chepkwony 2:03.7
2. Viola Kibiwott 2:05.2
3. Charity Wandia 2:06.7
1500m
1. Mary Wangare 4:14.2
2. Isabella Ochichi 4:14.5
3. Innes Chenonge 4:14.7
5000m
1. Sally Barsosio 15:43.2
2. Esther Chemutai 15:46.3
3. Mercy Wanjiru 15:48.0
10,000m
1. Catherine Ndereba 33:22.27
2. Rita Sitienei 33:23.04
3. Caroline Cheptanui 33:25.03
100m H
1. Florence Wasike 14.6
2. Callen Nyakawa 15.1
3. Georgina Mbinya 15.3
400m H
1. Florence Wasike 57.73
2. Callen Nyakawa 1:00.47
3. Mercy Njeri 1:01.96
3000m SC
1. Jeruto Kiptum 9:43.0
2. Jackline Chemutai 9:47.2
3. Kigen 10:06.0
Triple Jump
1. Janet Jepchumba 11.82m
2. Hellen Chemutai 11.56
3. Caroline Cherop 11.10
