News01 May 2011


Heated distance battles the highlight in Mumias – Fourth AK weekend meeting

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John Kemboi, winner of the 2009 Kenyan World champs trials in Nairobi (© Elias Makori)

Ugandan athletes left an impression as the fourth National Bank of Kenya/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting wrapped up on Saturday (30 April).

Proximity to the Kenyan western town of Mumias saw Uganda Athletics send 16 runners in their preparations for the summer’s IAAF World Championships in Daegu and their main attraction, Anney Nekesa, the World Junior bronze winner, delivered victory in the women’s 800m race.

The two-day meet that gunned off on Friday was skipped by many established Kenyan names, who are preparing for the start of the Samsung Diamond League, but fans were treated to some exciting clashes especially in the men’s 10,000m where John Kemboi, 19, upset Africa Cross Country champion John Mwangangi.

There was also a first defeat in three years for Grace Wanjiru, Africa titleholder and record holder in Race walking by Emily Ngii, who has played bridesmaid in the last seven domestic head-to-heads.

Mid and long distances

Nekesa, who won took bronze  at the Moncton World Juniors last year, edged out hard chasing Lydia Nafula to claim Uganda’s rare victory in Kenyan soil in 2:05.2. Nafula, who was spurred on by the home crowd dipped in 2:05.4 with Sheila Jesang (2:07.0) a further third in the women 800m.

The men’s race was taken by Timothy Kiptum in 1:48.2 as Anthony Chemut (1:48.5) and Edwin Kiplagat (1:48.7) trailed the winner to the podium. Preparing for next Friday’s Samsung Diamond League opener in Doha, Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop clocked a quick 1:46.5 in his heat on Friday.

Benson Kiplagat (3:44.4) prevailed over Elijah Kipchirchir (3:45.1) and James Tenai (3:45.4) in the men’s 1500m as Regina Jerotich (4:25.3) arrived home unchallenged in the women’s event ahead of Juliet Chekwel (4:26.02) and Goreth Jepkoech (4:29.32).

Punta Umbria World Cross Country runner Philemon Yator (13:54.0) was beaten to third in the men’s 5000m scooped by Abraham Kasongor (13:49.2) as Soyekwa Kibet (13:51.7) came second.

Mumias hosted the women’s 3000m Steeplechase for the first time where Punta Umbria junior race seventh finisher and 2009 World Youth 3000m winner, Purity Cherotich succumbed to fourth (10:21.7). Lydia Chepkurui (10:07.9), Regina Cherotich (10:12.8) and Veronica Chepkosgei (10:18.0) filled the podium.

John Kemboi won the final sprint conclusion to the men 10,000m race by fending off the marauding Prisons runner Mwangangi. The winner returned 29:22.2 against the challengers 29:22.9 as Anthony Maritim checked in distant third in 29:34.8.

Elizabeth Rumokol (33:50.1) broke away to seasoned campaigner Fridah Demongole to take top honours in the women’s race. Demongole was second in 34:47.6 daylights ahead of third placed Hilda Tanui (38:42.5).

Elsewhere – field, sprints and Race Walks

Simon Kimaru (10.7) and Jason Jagongo (21.9) took turns to lead Mike Makomba (10.8/22.1) in the men’s 100m and 200m dashes while the corresponding women’s showdowns saw Rose Indimuli (12.3/24.8) claim the double. Commonwealth Games finalist and national champion, Kipkemoi Soi, failed to spark in the men’s 200, coming home third in 22.2.

Vincent Kosgei clinched the 400m men’s run in 47.7 while African 400m Hurdles silver winner, Maureen Jelagat claimed two victories in the women’s 400m (54.8) and in her specialty (1:01.5). 

For two year’s Emily Ngii had seen the back of Africa record holder Grace Wanjiru in domestic women’s Race walking but early Saturday, she turned tables on the thrice continental champion by leading her across the line 2:30:23 against 2:30:24 in a cliff-hanger finish to the women 20km event.

In the absence of three-time Worlds campaigner David Mutai, home athlete, Sylvanus Wekesa (2:03:17) finally posted victory in the men’s event by beating Eric Shikuku (2:06:04).

Next stop, Mombasa


Over 1500 athletes took part in the fourth round where Sh300,000 ($3750) was distributed among top finishers. The fifth leg of the series will run in the Coastal town of Mombasa that hosted the 2007 World Cross with focus mainly on the sprints due to the sea level altitude.

Mutwiri Mutuota (Capital FM) for the IAAF

Leading Results ((All performances hand-timed):
MEN -

100m
1. Simon Kimaru   10.7
2. Mike Makomba   10.8
3. Colins Mulaa     10.9
4. Stephen Were   11.0
5. Jason Jagongo   11.2

200m
1. Jason Jagongo   21.9
2. Mike Makomba   22.1
3. Kipkemei Soi     22.2
4. Amos Omeka   22.4
5. George Kwoba   22.6

400m
1. Vincent Kosgei   47.7
2. Jeremiah Mutai   47.8
3. Alvas Kishoyan   48.0
4. Levis Wachira   48.9
5. Abraham Sawe   49.1

800m
1. Timothy Kiptum   1:48.2
3. Anthony Chemut  1:48.5
4. Edwin Kiplagat   1:48.7
5. Geoffrey Matum  1:49.1
6. Eliud Ruto     1:49.3

1500m
1. Benson Kiplagat  3:44.4
2. Elijah Kipchirchir  3:45.1
3. James Tenai     3:45.4
5. Cornellius Ndiwa   3:45.6
6. Hillary Maiyo    3:45.8

5,000m
1. Abraham Kasongor   13:49.2
2. Soyekwa Kibet   13:51.7
3. Philemon Yator   13:54.0
4. Patrick Ereng   13:55.2
5. Abraham Kiplimo   13:56.1

10,000m
1. John Kemboi     29:22.2
2. John Mwangangi   29:22.9
3. Anthony Maritim   29:34.8
4. Paul Chirubo     29:47.4
5. James Kigen     29:48.5
6. Rodgers Kimeng’ich   29:52.1
7. Shadrack Kiptoo   30:03.0
8. Joel Lokumuk   30:11.5
9. Linus Maruka   30:13.9

110m hurdles
1. Amon Chepsongol   15.0

400m Hurdles
1. Vincent Kosgei   51.9
2. Julius Rotich     52.4
3. Jeremiah Mutai   52.7

Triple jump
1. Elijah Kimitei     15.65m
2. Barnabas Kalabata   15.60m
3. Tera Langat     15.14m

Javelin
1. Sammy Keskeny   62.90m

Discus
1. Joshua Pondo   49.65m

Hammer
1. Dominic Abunda   52.40m

Shot put
1. David Limo     14.56m

20km Race walk
1. Sylvanus Wekesa    2:03:17
2. Erick Shikuku   2:06:04
3. Josephat Sirma    2:12:40

WOMEN -

100m
1. Rose Indimuli   12.3
2. Millicent Ndoro   12.4
3. Emily Osiba     12.6
4. Damaris Mbogo   12.7

200m
1. Roseline Indimuli   24.8
2. Millicent Ndoro   25.2
3. Agnes Anemo   25.4
4. Emily Osipa     25.6

400m
1. Maureen Jelagat   54.8
2. Agnes Aneno (Ugd)  55.9
3. Grace Kidake     56.7
4. Elizabeth Muthoka  57.1

800m
1. Anney Nekesa (Ugd)  2:05.2
2. Lydia Wafula     2:05.4
3. Sheila Chesang   2:07.0
4. Sylvia Cheseba   2:08.6
5. Hilda Muneria   2:09.3

1500m
1. Regina Jerotich   4:25.3
2. Juliet Chekwel   4:26.02
3. Goreth Jepkoech   4:29.32
4. Agnes Jesary     4:35.5
5. Eva Jerono     4:41.5

10,000m
1. Elizabeth Rumokol   33:50.1
2. Fridah Domongole   34:47.6
3. Hilda Tanui     38:42.5
4. Anne Wabera   38:46.3
5. Olpha Jebichi   42:52.8

3,000m Steeplechase
1. Lydia Chepkurui  10:07.9
2. Regina Cherotich   10:12.8
3. Veronica Chepkosgei   10:18.0
4. Purity Cherotich   10:21.7
5. Beatrice Chepng’eno 10:36.7

400m hurdles
1. Maureen Jelagat   61.5

Hammer
1. Rebecca Kerubo   40.02m

Shot put
1. Jackline Nyongesa   12.44m

Long jump
1. Regina Mulayita   5.75m

Discus
1. Phelistar Bosire   32.10m

20km Race Walk
1. Emily Ngii     2:30:23
2. Grace Wanjiru   2:30:24
3. Rebecca Chetom   2:39:42
3. Grace Thoithi   2:41:25
4. Linda Waweru   2:42.25
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