Lucy Cheruiyot completed a double when she won in 5,000m and 10,000m as the Kenya Prisons Athletics Championships ended yesterday at Nyayo Stadium.
The East Africa secondary schools bronze medalist was parading alongside Visiline Jepkesho, who finished third in the Paris Marathon. Jepkesho is also in the national preliminary marathon team to the World Championships in Beijing in August.
Cheruiyot clocked 32:35.4 ahead of Nancy Kimaiyo (32:58.72), while Jepkesho finished third in 33:01.3.
Meanwhile, IAAF world medley relays silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot won in 1,500m, while former Commonwealth champion Silas Kiplagat emerged tops in 800m.
Cheruiyot’s winning time of 3:36.7 was a new Prisons record, lowering Jonathan Komen’s previous time of 3:40.3. Kiplagat won the two-lap race, a distance lower than his 1500m specialty, in a time of 1:46.75 ahead of Evans Kipkorir (1:47.56) and Festus Lagat (1:47.87).
Recruit Cornelius Kangogo also set a new Prisons record of 13:31.2 as he won the 5000m race.
The previous record by Africa cross country silver medallist Timothy Kiptoo, stood at 13:38.0. Former Africa silver medallist Anthony Chemut finished fifth in 1:48.18. Veteran Sylvia Chesebe easily won the women’s 800m in a time of 2:04.39 followed by Peninah Wangari in 2:05.65, while Cecilia Maria was third in 2:09.35.
Jepkesho said she was happy to have come through but “the race was tough (running on the track) considering I a road race and marathon runner.”
“I am happy that I am still in good shape especially now that I am in the provisional marathon team to the World Championships, one of the toughest feats in the country.”
Cheruiyot, who finished third in the IAAF World Challenge in Rabat, Morocco last week said he grateful that this season has been good for “me and I am hoping that I will keep up the good form and make the team to the World Championships.”
Joash Kiplimo won men’s 3,000m steeplechase in 8:30.23 ahead of Peter Lagat (8:41.90), while Silas Kitum was third in 8:43.19.
Speaking after the two-day event, Athletics Kenya Prisons branch chairman Benjamin Njoga put his opponents on notice. “We have a short and long term plan to revamp athletics in the Kenya Prisons Service. We are getting a lot of support from the commissioner and within no time, our opponents will see much improvement from us,” he said.
