By James Waindi

Africa champion and Commonwealth 20km bronze medallist Grace Wanjiru Friday set a new national record after she clocked 1:28:15 to retain her title at the National Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Wanjiru, running for the Defence Forces, slashed more than 10 minutes from the previous time of 1:39.50 to win.

Emily Wamucii Ngii, also of Defence Forces, was second in a personal best time of 1:31:54 as Grace Thoithi, running for Nairobi, finished third in 1:34:35.

Grace Wanjiru (centre) with Grace Thoiti (left) and Emily Wamucii after getting their medals, Friday.

Wanjiru and Wamucii also hit the qualifying times for the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea between August 27 and September 4 and it could be the first time Athletics Kenya will be sending women walkers to the World Championships. The qualifying time for the global event is 1:33:30.

In the men 1, 500m semi-finals, Olympic gold medalist Asbel Kiprop survived a scare when he narrowly win the second heat of the semifinals, beat his opponents through a vest finish. Kiprop running for Police clocked 3:39.5 and was closely followed in the second position by Daniel Kipchirchir of Nairobi who clocked 3:39.6, while individual runner Caleb Mwangangi was third in 3:39.9 and Haron Keitany was fourth in 3:40.0.

At the bell, Kiprop who had been running from behind in the entire race, found himself in an unfamiliar seventh position and only made ground in the final 100m sprint to catch up with his opponents at the finish line.

Bethwel Birgen running for Administration Police enjoyed the lead briefly but was unlucky as he tumbled ahead of the final lap.

On the first day, Kiprop easily won his heat, heat four in a time of 3:44.4, where he was closely followed by individual runner Nicholas Kemboi in 3:44.6.

In the first semifinal heat, former Commonwealth Games championships gold medalist Augustine Choge running for Police beat a star studed field to win in a time of 3:37.7. Collins Cheboi of Administration Police finished the race second in 3:38.8, while Nixon Chepseba who has run the fastest time over the distance this season was third in 3:38.3 and the reigning Commonwealth Games champion Silas Kiplagat representing Prisons looked relaxed as he went on to finish fourth in a time of 3:38.6.