Kipyego emerges winner on first day of AP Championships

By Erick Ochieng’

London Half-Marathon champion, Edwin Kipyego, recorded 28:06.1 to beat national champion Peter Kirui and 30 others in men’s 10,000m final at the 12th Administration Police (AP) Inter-departmental Athletics Championship that ends at Nyayo National stadium in Nairobi on Thursday.

But Kipyego’s position was given to Henry Chirchir (28:47.1) as he was a guest runner. Second position was taken by Hillary Kiptoo (29:25.7) while third place went to Nelson Kiprop, who recorded 29:26.4.

Kirui, who two months ago triumphed in the New York Half-Marathon, led the fast-paced race throughout until the second last round where he was beaten to the tape and was to settle for fourth place.

Kirui currently trains in Kericho. He has no intention to pursue an Olympic dream   in men’s 5,000m at the forthcoming National Championships as his focus is in Benin for this year’s Senior Africa Olympics Championships where he is gunning for gold.

Kipyego is looking forward for the national trials where he will run in the 10,000m.

“I have been in good form that saw me win silver at the Italy Half Marathon last month. I thank my Run Fast Team in Iten who have contributed to this terrific form,” said Kipyego.

Susan Cheruiyot was the surprise package as she clocked 16:46.8 to win the women’s 5,000m final.

Cheruiyot, from Administration Police Training College (APTC) unit, who was making a debut in 5000m, was equally surprised by her win as her forte lies in the 800m which she won in last year’s championships.

Despite triumphing and qualifying for the forthcoming National Championships, Cheruiyot downplayed competing in the category, saying she can never beat the likes of World 5,000m and 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot and other elite athletes who will be gunning for Olympic places in the category.

“I cannot beat them in 5,000m so the only option I have is to try my luck in the women’s 1,500m where I hope that I will make it to the 2012 London Olympics,” she said.

Emerging second was Nancy Jemtai, also from APTC, who registered 17:23.1, while third place was clinched by Elizabeth Chelangat from Rift Valley with a time of 17:38.0.

Perpetua Nqutu from APTC   took her long jump to a personal best of 4.71m to win gold. Lucy Ogonda (APTC) won silver after doing a long jump of 4.52m, while third position was taken by Chepkorir Kwambai from Western with another personal best of 4.32m.

APTC swept all the women’s 400m hurdles finals. The winner was Everlyn Kendi, who clocked 74.0. Second place went to Bornes Chelimo with 80.0, while Everlyn Chepsisor was third with 80.1.

The women’s darts winner    was Central Unit while second place went to Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and North Eastern Unit was third.

In women’s pool table competition, Central won gold, Rift Valley won silver while RDU went with bronze.

APTC A won the men’s pool table contest. Nyanza were runners up and third position went to APTC B.

APTC were eliminated in the men’s discus finals which was won by Peter Ajore from Security of Government Buildings (SGB) Unit who threw a record distance of 38.37m. Phillip Kibomet from Nyanza was second with 33.91m and third place was taken by Robert Chelimo from Western with 31.77m.

In men’s darts competition, RDU went with gold, APTC silver and Rift Valley bronze. Other Final Results:

Women’s Discus

1. Bridget Makena (Nbi)                      27.58m

2. Shalley Moimey (RV)                       23.00

Men’s Shot Putt

1. Manazi Ochieng (APTC)                    12.62m

2. Victor Rono (Eastern)                       11.41m

3. George Mwita (APTC)                       11.24m

Long Jump-Men

1. Peter Kiplagat (Western)                  6.49m

2. George Nzorani (APTC)                    6.26m

3. Joshua Maguti                                 6.07m

High Jump-Men

1. James Kimata (NEP)                        1.85m

2. Peter Kiplagat (Western)                  1.77m

3. Said Drivo (APTC)                            1.76m