16 year old Diana Chepkemoi smiles after winning the 5,000m race at the Ulinzi Sports Complex Langata on Saturday 16th December
17-year-old Teresa Cherotich of Lemotit camp in Kericho braved the chilly morning weather at Ulinzi Sports Complex –Lanagat to win the women’s 10,000m race in 33.57 minutes ahead of Mercy Chemtai of South Rift, who clocked 33:59.5, as Mercy Chepkorir also from Lemotit camp took third place in 34:29.5. During the second Athletics Kenya track and field meet organized by central region on Saturday 16TH December.
Cherotich expressed her joy as she targets to make the under 20 team for the World Cross Country slated for 30 March in Belgrade, Serbia and World Under 20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru on 26th-31st August.
“The weather took a toll on me but I am happy with my first track victory. Today’s race was to test my endurance and I am happy with my training so far,” Said Cherotich.
Stanely Njihia of Nyahururu club clocked 28:31.7 to win the men’s 10,000m ahead of former World U20 Athletics, 1500m champion to George Manangoi of the Kenya Defence Forces. Manangoi settled for second place in 29:16.2 while Levi Kimeli of Nairobi clocked 29:33.7 for third place.
“I was targeting to hit the All African Games qualification of 28:38.00. Hopefully I will be in Accra Ghana next year in March,” said Njihia.
Stanley Njihia rests after qualifying for the All African Games in the 10,000m
Diana Chepkemoi was the second teenager to rule the tartan track at the age of 16 yrs. Chepkemoi, who is also from Lemotit, Kericho, clocked 16.08.7 to beat Angelina Nadai (16:15.3) of ART and Winfred Mbithe of Police (16:22.9) who finished second and third consecutively.
“My season started well, I won Iten and Machakos cross country, finished second in Boment and Chepsaita cross country and now a track victory. I am targeting top podium place during the World Cross Country championship then plan for Under 20 championships in August,” said Chepkemoi.
Their counterparts in the 5,000m Emmaneul Kiptoo of Nyahururu under favorable warm weather clocked 13:27.5 for first place while Silas Sentura of Ngong clocked 14.04.3 for second place as Francis Abong’ of Nyahururu sealed the third available podium place in 14:11.5.
In the men’s 3,000m steeplechase former U20 bronze medalist Simon Koech dominated the race to win on home turf in 8:25.5 followed by Philemon Kosgei of Kericho who stopped the timer at 8:51.0 for second place while Vincent Ruto Ngong clocked 9:00.6 for third place.
Focus now shifts to the third track and field event which will act as a qualifiers event for the forthcoming 13th edition of All African Games scheduled for March 8th – 23rd, 2024.
