Obiri, Cherono, Mutai win in star-studded KDF meet at Kasarani

By JONATHAN KOMEN

World Indoor champion Helen Obiri and double African champion Gladys Cherono honoured their cardinal roles, with brilliant wins at the 34th edition of the Athletics Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championships.

Obiri (4:12.24), the defended champion, warded off challenge from a recovering-from-injury and ex-Olympic 1,500m champ Nancy Jebet Langat (4:12.30) at the prestigious sporting cathedral, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Cherono, who bagged the Prague Half Marathon in a career best 66:48 last month, squeezed  world championships bronze medallist Sharon Cherop (34:22.0) and Commonwealth 5000m bronze winner Iness Chenonge (34:24.00) to lesser podium positions as she strolled to victory in women’s 10,000m final in 34:21.00.

Olympics bronze medallist Abel Mutai, who was beaten to second at Tokyo’s Golden Grand Prix last week, cruised to the men’s 3000m steeplechase win in 8:27.4.

“I decided to breakaway away early since Langat is very good over the last final 50m. I’m pleased to have beaten such a great runner,” Obiri said.

With spectators on their feet as the race concluded, Obiri who bagged the closed circuit world title in Istanbul, Turkey, deployed the afterburners with 200m, as Langat responded to the surge.

“I’m grateful that I have returned to good form after struggling with injury and I look forward to the season. I’m looking forward to the New York Diamond League,” said Jebet, who been struggling with knee injury over the past three seasons.

But African women 5000m and 10000m titleholder, Gladys Cherono, confirmed that whatever she touches this season turns to gold — after her impressive win at the 5,000m final on Thursday.

With Cherop, who finished third while in title defence in Boston Marathon last month, in trail in the final two laps, Cherono pulled away from the challenger over the last 600m to romp home in 34:21.0.

Cherop, who is in the provisional Kenyan squad for the Moscow Worlds, arrived home two seconds in arrears as Chenonge closed the podium in 34:2 with Rotterdam Marathon champion Jemima rounding off the top-four spots.

Earlier on Friday, Cherono bagged her first meet title when she out-ran road race specialist Lineth Chepkirui (16:45.1) with Cherop (16:46.1) edging out Chenonge (16:47.0) in the battle for third place.

Despite losing at the Japan Grand Prix last weekend, London bronze winner, Abel Mutai, retained his water and barriers crown with a commanding victory .

From the fourth lap, Mutai was all alone in the lead and went on to close his procession for the honours in 8:27.24, with runner-up Wilson Maraba (8:29.2) and Kennedy Njiru (8:31.4) in third trailing well behind the runaway victor.

Former world Cross runner Linus Chumba came fourth in 8:38.0.

The Forces event rolled out the disciplined forces selection events ahead of the June Kenyan nationals that will pave way for the Trials for the Moscow Worlds later. Action now shifts to Kenya Prisons Services due next week.