Jelimo rocks Nyayo Stadium

By Feverpitch Reporter

Nyayo National Stadium exploded when the country’s ‘Golden Girl’ Pamela Jelimo received the baton on her way to helping the Kenya Police 4X400m women’s relay team retain the national title.

The event was the most awaited as the three-day National Championships ended yesterday following news that Olympic female champions Jelimo (800m) and Nancy Jebet Lagat (1,500m) would feature.

Joy Zakari set off for the Police team before surprise inclusion, World 800m champion, Janeth Jepkosgei scorched competition on the second leg.

A huge roar resonated around Nyayo when the ‘Eldoret Express’ passed the baton to Jelimo, who clocked 52seconds as the defending champions won in 3:35.95. Prisons (3:42.17) were second ahead of Jebet’s Forces quartet that ran 3:43.9 for third.

In ‘Kenya’s race the 3,000m men’s steeplechase Olympic and world bronze medallist Richard Mateelong tore away with two laps to go for victory in 8:14.2 with Elijah Chelimo (Prisons, 8:19.8) and Abel Mutai (Forces, 8:23.4) occupying other podium places.

Athens Olympic champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, slipped and fell after the water jump as they went to the bell and faded to ninth, while four-time WAF winner, Paul Kipsiele Koech finished outside the top 10. An incensed Kemboi threw his running jersey to the ground in anger after the race.

Africa 800m champion, David Rudisha showed second placed Armed Forces champion, Jackson Kivuva (1:47.9) a clean pair of heels on the homestretch to win the men’s two-lap race in 1:47.1.

World junior 3,000m women’s champion, Mercy Cherono showed her senior counterparts what to expect when she graduates to senior ranks by winning the women’s 5,000m national title in 15:46.74.

Police youngster, Joseph Kitur (13:47.0) beat 2007 World Cross junior silver medallist, Vincent Kiprop (13:48.2) to the men’s title.

World Youth 800m champion, Winnie Chebet (2:05.9) won the women’s race.

A packed stadium had waited in bated breath for the race when it was announced that Jelimo, the Olympic 800m champion and Nancy Jebet Lagat, the Forces athlete who won the top medal in Beijing over 1,500m.

 

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