Joseph Chirlee winning the 10,000m at the fifth Athletics Kenya meeting (© Peter Njenga)
Reuben Kosgei, a former World and Olympics 3000 metres Steeplechase champion resurfaced on Saturday to win at Fifth Athletics Kenya build up meeting for 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games in Nairobi.
Kosgei, who captured back-to-back titles in Sydney in 2000 and Edmonton in 2001, may not have posted an earth-shattering time against the modest competition, but returning in local competition and winning was encouraging, he said, adding that the Achilles tendon injury which has dogged his track life since 2003 is healed. He was able to control the pace and raced away to victory from Collins Ngeno after the last hurdle in 8:29.3 seconds on a hot and cloudless afternoon at the Moi International Sports Centre in the outskirts of the capital. The unattached Ngeno romped home in 8:29.8.
The presence of Kosgei will certainly improve competition at the top in meetings leading to the Commonwealth Games where Kenya will be fielding a strong team, hoping to sweep the board in absence of African rival Ethiopia. Although the past four build-up meetings have been attracting little known runners, consistency has began paying dividends. On Saturday one such talent, Ismael Kombich was the surprise winner of the 800 metres in an impressive 1:45.6, unaided. With a string of national races where he has always placed in the bottom of the field, here he chose to run alone from the front. His time was testament of a man who has hit the form of life in the right time.
"He is a person worth watching," noted coach Dan Muchoki. "We seriously need to see more new promising faces in this event." Cosmas Rono of Police, winner in the Kakamega round last December, finished a distant second in 1:47.1 followed by Daniel Komen who was in 1:47.4.
Barsosio best on women's side
Thanks to her wealth of experience, former 10,000m World champion Sally Barsosio sprinted to victory in the 5000m, beating the young up-and-coming Mary Wacera. Barsosio clocked 16:39.6, and said she was determined to travel to Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games in March. Wacera was well back in 16:43.0.
As in the men's event, youthful faces graced the 800m race, poor pace aside. Caroline Chepkwony posted 2:09.2 to beat Eastern Africa region champion Lydia Wafula (2:10.1). Joska Obare of the Police team managed to beat former Paris Marathon champion Beatrice Omwanza in the 10,000m, clocking 34:05.4.
Leading Results:
Men -
400m:
1. Thomas Musembi, Prisons, 46.4
2. Ezra Sambu, Police, 46.6
3. Julius Kirwa, Spear, 46.8.
800m:
1. Ismael Kombich, Individual, 1:45.6
2. Cosmas Rono, Police, 1:47.1
3. Daniel Komen, Individual, 1:47.4
4. Denis Biwott, Pace, 1:48.5
5. Wesley Cheruiyot, Police, 1:48.8
1500m:
1. Harun Kaitany, Spear, 3:41.5
2. Edward Mutai, Nakuru, 3:43.4
3. Alley Macharia, Police, 3:44.5
4. Vickson Polonet, Police, 3:45.3
5. Jonathan Komen, Prisons, 3:45.4
5000m:
1. Samuel Kalia, Lab, 14:02.5
2. Bernard Rotich, Kericho, 14:15.3
3. Paul Kemboi, Ngong, 14:23.4
4. Josephat Wachira, Individual, 14:27.4
5. Ephrim Wangai, Individual, 14:29.6
10,000m:
1. Joseph Chirlee, Individual, 29:21.7
2. Elijah Mwaniki, Individual, 29:34.4
3. Joel Kiplimo, Asmg, 29:37.6
4. Morris Mbugua, Individual, 30:26.5
5. Julius Mbugua, Individual, 30:26.5
3,000m steeplechase:
1. Reuben Kosgei, Asmg, 8:29.3
2. Collins Ngeno, Individual, 8:29.8
3. Elijah Kibwalei, Nanyuki, 8:34.0
4. James Cheptuiyon, Koibaket, 8:38.6
5. Willy Komen, Asmg, 8:38.8
Women -
800m:
1. Caroline Chepkwony, Pace, 2:09.2
2. Lydia Wafula, Individual, 2:10.1
3. Annet Mwanzi, Prisons, 2:10.6
4. Flavious Kwamboka, Riruta, 2:11.2
5. Milka Wamaitha, Mfae, 2:12.7
1500m:
1. Ruth Waithera, Mfae, 4:31.8
2. Miriam Njeri, Mfae, 4:33.1
3. Anne Waithera, Mfae, 4:42.0
4. Caroline Wanjiru, Mfae, 4:44.3
5. Grace Kamau, Hidden Talent, 4:45.1.
5000m:
1. Sally Barsosio, Armed Forces, 16:39.6
2. Mary Wacera, Mfae, 16:43.0
3. Esther Maina, Police, 16:50.5
4. Jellia Tinega, Individual, 16:53.2
5. Esther Chemutai, Nairobi, 17:13.2
10000m:
1. Joska Obare, Police, 34:05.4
2. Beatrice Omwanza, Telkom, 34:16.3
3. Sarah Kebaso, Police, 34:21.0
4. Jane Kangara, Individual, 36:03.4
5. Esther Kabura, Individual, 37:04.2
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
