Athletics Kenya National Relays championship: Moenga, Adongo star in relays meet

Milicent Ndoro of Kenya Police receives the baton from Sharon Cheron in the 100 x 4 women relays heat during the Athletics Kenya National Relays championship at Nyayo Stadium on 21-02-2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Kenya Defence Forces Walter Moenga and rugby star Leon Adongo headlined the first leg of the AK/Safaricom National Relays Series at Nyayo National Stadium, yesterday.

But the first of the four-leg relays and sprints competitions, that will culminate in the naming of the national team for the World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas (May 2-3), was watched by only a handful of fans.

However, the absence of elite athletes, who highlighted last year’s inaugural World Relays in Nassau, like Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat, James Magut, Collins Cheboi, Mercy Cherono, Hellen Obiri, Faith Chepngetich and Irene Jelagat and the paltry fans, did not dampen the excitement of the event.

The second leg will be on March 7, the third on March 21, both at Nyayo, and the final selection on April 1 at Kasarani.

AK tested a new race, Distance Medley, which was introduced this year by world governing body, IAAF, which is a relay of 1,200m, 400m, 800m and 1,600m. But officials only ran 1,600m flat for men, which was won by Muia Katui from Southern in 4:02.0, followed by Isaac Yego and Vincent Mutai in 4:02.8 and 4:05.5.

AK CEO Isaac Mwangi said they wanted to identify athletes who can run it first and will do the relay in the remaining legs.

The Distance Medley has replaced the 4x 1,500m relay in which Kenya’s Silas Kiplagat, Asbel Kiprop, James Kiplagat Magut and Collins Cheboi set a world record of 4:22.22 in the Atlantic Ocean island last year.

Moenga, 26, whose 4x200m quartet finished fifth in the last World Relays, also in Bahamas, decisively won the first heat of 200m, timing 21.6 seconds with teammate John Ngarasi in second position in 22 seconds.

Moenga also won the 100m heat four in 10.6 seconds which was the fastest time in all the heats, followed by Boniface Kagai and Stephen Baraza, who both stopped the clock in 10.6 seconds.

Adongo, whose elder brother Dan plays American football in the United States, won heat six of 200m in 22.4 seconds with KDF’s Vincent Mathinza second in 22.6 seconds.

“I have left rugby to concentrate on athletics which has been my passion all along,” 29-year-old Adongo, who played for Harlequin and national Sevens and 15s sides told reporters.

“I have been working on speed, agility, strength and power and hopes for a better result this year,” whose father Elkana Nyangau ran for Kenya in 100 and 200m in 1980s.

Moenga was fourth in Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 100m, but was disqualified in 200m in semis because of a false start. He was fourth in relay 4x100m in African Championships.

Boniface Mweresa of LAB won 200m heat two in 21.3 seconds, while Collins Omae topped in heat seven in 21.7 seconds. Prius Muia won heat five in 21.6 seconds with Carl Lewis second in 22 seconds. Peter Mwai won heat four in 21.7 seconds. Alfred Mwai won heat two in 21.9.

In the longer races, Beatrice Chepkoech won the 1,500m in 4:17.0 with Sheila Chesang from GSU second in 4:23.0. Ronald Kwemoi won the men’s 1,500m in 3:42.5.