Adrenaline-filled racing, a superb display of remarkable talents, resilience and high hopes characterised the final day of athletics competitions at the National Secondary School games in Eldoret.
Young athletics talents booked their tickets to the East Africa Games where they will represent Kenyan schools in Rwanda, in August this year.
They braved heavy afternoon rains that resulted in the change of venue from Moi Girls Eldoret to the Kipchoge Keino stadium, which is still under construction.
Rift Valley schools confirmed the region was the country's athletics powerhouse, dominating a big number of track events.
Maureen Cherotich and Faith Cherotich, both from Kalyet Secondary School in Kericho produced a tactical win and second place respectively and promised to put the names of their little-known institution on the East African map, in Rwanda.
Top-placed Maureen easily chalked up victory in 36:15.1 under wet conditions at Moi Girls, with her schoolmate (Faith) crossing the finish line in 36:55.1 to place second. Penina Mukonene from Nkanga Secondary, Eastern region finished third in 39:04.6, in the morning race.
"The training has been rigorous. My hope is to bring the East Africa trophy home. I know that racing in Rwanda will be tough and I want to assure my coaches that I will train harder as I prepare to represent Kenyan schools in August," Maureen said.
Kiambogo Secondary School (representing Rift Valley) produced the men's 800m national secondary school champion after James Gichuki obliterated a strong field to clinch the title in the two-lap race.
Mary Nyaboke Keberesi, Kisii County, stormed to the women's 1500m race to make her Nyanza region proud.
Nyaboke won the national secondary schools 1500m title in 04:38.3 ahead of Janet Jepkemoi from Kondabilet, Elgeyo Marakwet (Rift Valley) who stopped the timer at 04:43.4. Sarah Chepkoech from Kaboywa, Western region came in third.
"I look up to Hellen Obiri and I hope to be successful in track races. I want to train hard for a breakthrough in the East Africa games. I will be going to Rwanda for a win," she said.
Kalyet, Kondabilet and Kiambogo joined athletics giants such as Cheptonon, Sinoni and Kimuron. Cheptonon is taking three athletes to the East Africa show. They are newly crowned national schools games champion Margaret Gati (5,000m walking race), Betty Jepleting (4x400m) and Enostine Jeptoo also taking part in the relays.
Nyanza schools ruled the 400m and 400m hurdles races at the national show. Patricia Machoka from Keberesi clocked 58.4 in 400m while Flavian Atieno ran 67.0 in the 400m hurdles.
