Monica Wangare in the women's 10,000m in Nairobi (© Omulo Okoth)
Nairobi, KenyaThe sixth Athletics Kenya weekend domestic meeting brought the chance for some young talents to emerge victorious at Nairobi's Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, today.
One of the emerging names, Veronica Nyaruai, the women’s 2005 World Junior Cross Country silver medallist, easily won the 1500m in 4:21.8. Nyaruai, who is hardly 16-years-old and is still in primary school in Kagondo, Nyahururu, clocked 4:21.8 to beat a strong field of women competitors. She impressively took off from the bell and none of her rivals could respond as she glided to victory. Turin Marathon champion Beatrice Omwanza, 31, faded to fourth position in 4:28.0, well behind second-placed Beth Muthoni (4:27.0) and Margaret Wangare (4:28.0).
Yet it was the turn for even rawer talents such as 23-year-old Gilbert Kipchoge also to shine. He won the men’s 800m in a personal best of 1:45.9 in a meeting that was dominated by Kenya Prisons Service athletes. He was followed home by Michael Chepkonga in 1:46.6.
Gilbert Kipchoge had first been identified by former national head coach Mike Kosgei, who had gone back to ‘the source’ of so much talent, in his native Kapsabet in Nandi in the expansive Rift Valley Province which is home to hundreds of Kenyan world-class athletes. This was Gilbert Kipchoge’s first victory in Kenya, having placed third in Nakuru two weeks ago and again third in the B race at last week's AAC Permit Meeting in Nairobi.
"I want to see how he is developing this season,” said Kosgei. “The National Championships will help us decide whether to start entering him in the big league or to give him more time to develop his technique. But he has massive talent, endurance and speed," said Kosgei, who until last September was Kenya’s National Head Coach. He is now working for a British management company in Kapsabet.
Kosgei’s other athlete Caroline Chepkwony, who is African women's 800m bronze medallist, won the two-lap race today in 2:04.7, with Tanzania's Luiza John following in 2:06.9.
Monica Wangare, 18, clinched the 10,000m title (picture above) in 34:05.2 from Diana Mutua (34:30.2) and Rose Cherotich (35:11.4).
The women’s 5000m was won by Mercy Njoroge who stopped the clock in 16:21.5, as Caroline Kiptanui followed in 16:25.0, and Nancy Wambui in 16:30.4. Ruth Waithera won the women's 3000m Steeplechase in 10:33.2, with Everlyne Chebichi in second place in 10:43.3.
Florence Wasike was the fastest over the 400m Hurdles, winning in one minute. Mercy Njoroge was second in 62.4 seconds, while veteran Cecilia Kiplagat won the Discus Throw with 39m.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
Selected Results:
MEN:
100m
1. Kipkemoi Soi (KAH) 10.5
2. Japheth Ogamba (POL) 10.6
3. Jared Onchiri (KN) 10.9
200m
1. Vincent Mumo (MAB) 20.9
2. Kipkemoi Soi (KAH) 21.1
3. Japheth Ogamba (POL) 21.3
400m
1. Thomas Musembi (KAH) 46.3
2. Stephen Musyoka (KAH) 48.0
3. Pius Cherotich (IND) 48.1
800m
1. Gilbert Kipchoge (Spears) 1:45.9
2. Michael Chepkonga (NBI) 1:46.6
3. Linus Ndiwa (KAH) 1:46.7
1500m
1. Vickson Polonet (HPTC) 3:40.5
2. Geoffrey Rono (IND) 3:40.7
3. Bernard Kirui (IND) 3:41.0
5000m
1. Mika Kemboi (Puma) 13:46.2
2. Mike Kigen (Puma) 13:46.7
3. Bernard Rotich (KER) 13:47.3
4x100m
1. Prisons 41.3
2. Kisii 41.6
3. Nanyuki 41.8
4x400m
1. Nairobi (AF) 3:10.6
2. Thika 3:11.0
3. Kahawa 3:11.4
3000m SC
1. Henry Kosgei (MAB) 8:38.6
2. Philip Tarus NBI) 8:42.1
3. Mike Birir (NBI) 8:44.4
110m Hurdles
1. Hilary Kiplangat (NYK) 14.9
2. Tirus Tanui (KN) 15.2
3. Zacharus Oichoe (KN) 15.4
400m Hurdles
1. Dan Katonon (KN) 52.1
2. Sylvester Muteti (MAB) 52.5
3. Jonathan Rutto (IND) 53.5
10,000m Walk
1. Julius Sawe (KN) 40:25.0
2. David Kimutai (NYK) 40:25.4
3. Josphat Sirma (POL) 43:05.6
WOMEN
100m
1. Hellen Kimutai (KR) 12.3
2. Zipporah Ratemo (PRI) 12.4
3. Anne Karauni (IND) 12.4
200m
1. Elizabeth Muthoka (PRI) 24.3
2. Zipporah Ratemo (PRI) 25.1
3. Susan Nyarunda (PRI) 26.3
400m
1. Annette Mwanzi (PRI) 54.7
2. Charity Wandia (KAH) 56.1
3. Susan Nyarunda (KN) 57.5
800m
1. Caroline Chepkwony (Spears) 2:04.7
2. Luiza John (TAN) 2:06.9
3. Gladys Kwambai (HPTC) 2:07.2
1500m
1. Veronica Nyarwai (MFAE) 4:21.8
2. Beth Muthoni (MFAE) 4:27.0
3. Margaret Wangare (MFAE) 4:28.0
5000m
1. Mercy Njoroge (MFAE) 16:21.5
2. Caroline Kiptanui (MFAE) 16:25.0
3. Nancy Wambui (MFAE) 16:30.4
10,000m
1. Monica Wangare (MFAE) 34:05.2
2. Diana Mutua (MAK) 34:30.2
3. Rose Cherotich (IND) 35:11.4
100m Hurdles
1. Georgina Mbinya (MAB) 15.6
2. Caren Nyakawa (PRI) 16.0
3. Cheptoo Tireito (IND) 17.1
400m Hurdles
1. Florence Wasike 60.0
2. Mercy Njeri 62.4
3. Tabitha Mwihaki 64.7
4x100m
1. Prisons 47.5
2. Kenya Navy 50.4
3. Kahawa 51.2
4x400m
1. Prisons 3:47.1
2. MFAE A 4:01.2
3. MFEA B 4:06.0
10,000m Walk
1. Grace Wanjiru (AF) 50:02:7
2. Jepngetich Kosgei (KAH) 51:39:6
3. Rael Cherono (KN) 54:46:0
Discus
1. Cecilia Kiplagat 39.0m
2. Fridah Nyangeresi 33.41m
3. Roselyn Oguta 29.84m
