Kamworor runs away with 10,000m title at trials

Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki leads the pack in men's 10,000m during the National Trials Championship at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on August 1, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Kenya’s bid to bring down long distance runner Mo Farah’s rule and end the nation’s 14-year gold drought in the men’s 10,000m keeps playing up ahead of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships that runs in Beijing from August 22 to 30.

That notwithstanding, world cross country champion Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor led world cross country silver medalist Bedan Karoki into making the team at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani yesterday.

World 10,000m bronze medalist Paul Tanui, who carried his impressive 26:49.41 season best time to the start line, finished third in a three-way battle. Kamworor, who has vowed to challenge Mo Farah in Bejing, formed the leading pack which had world-class runners such as veteran world cross country runner Mathew Kisorio, former Africa silver medalist Vincent Yator, Africa cross country champion Leonard Barsoton and former World Youth 3,000m champion William Sitonik. Kamworor began exchanging the lead with Karoki and Tanui before they broke away mid-way through the race to open a wide gap.

With three laps to go, the three kept talking to one another even as Kamworor and Karoki, the two who were in Guiyang World Cross Country, started to engage in a brilliant surge as they approached the bell. But Kamworor produced a sudden burst of speed that overpowered Karoki to win in 27:11.89 as Karoki (27:15.33) picked the second automatic slot.

Tanui (27:18.45), Yator (27:33.45) and Barsoton (27:35.75) followed as Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui (27:42.66) and James Rugaru (27:50.09) finished sixth and seventh. Kisorio disappeared off the radar mid-way.

Kamworor, the IAAF World Half Marathon winner, said they would also be keen to end Ethiopia’s reign historic reign in 10,000m. “We have a strong team. I know all of us are capable of winning the gold medal in Bejing. We only need to plan well together and ensure we beat Mo Farah and the Ethiopians. We talked in the race to inspire each other,” he said.

Kamworor, Karoki and Tanui hit the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying time of 28:00. Karoki said they have a perfect combination to post good results in Beijing and ensure they reclaim the title won by Charles Kamathi in 2001 and by Moses Tanui in 1991.

National 200m record holder Mike Mokamba beat US based Cavin Nkanata, who had a world leading time in the opening season. Mokamba (20.48) and Nkanata (20.82) qualified for the world championships and the Olympics. “We need a low altitude training area like Florida, Canada, where Nkanata trains. We can do it,” Mokamba said.
Nicholas Bett (48.29) upset Africa champion Boniface Mucheru (49.24) and Haron Koech (49.84) in a fast-time 400m hurdles.