Former Africa cross-country 12km champion wins 10, 000m at Kasarani

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Africa cross-country 12km John Mwangangi won men’s 10,000m final at the final leg of National Bank of Kenya/Athletics Kenya track and field meeting at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

World championships 3,000m steeplechase runner Gladys Kemboi also shone in 5,000m even as world-beating stars – among them 2011 IAAF World Male Athlete of the year David Rudisha and former Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo – gave the final day a wide berth altogether.

World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, who was expected to blaze the trails in 800m, also missed the action despite having won the qualifying rounds on Friday.

Prisons’ Mwangangi tore through the field to win the race in 28:28.3.

Simon Chirchir (28;31.5), Emmanuel Bor (28:35.4) and Alouis Ndiema (28:37.2) came in second, third and fourth as Patrick Kimani (29:10.6) and James Ndolo (29:21.1) followed.

“I glad to have won the race. I will compete in 10,000m at the nationals,” said Mwangangi.

Newcomer Peter Njoroge stunned a classy line-up to wear the men’s 5,000m battle in 13:35.0, beating Silas Kimutai (13:47.3) and Kipkemoi Ben (13:41.8).

World cross-country junior runner Moses Mukono (13:44.7), Cleophas Rotich (13:49.3), Patrick Mathenge (13:56.1) and Hillary Maiyo (13:58.8) followed.

Little-known Lawrence Kemboi (8:33.0) was too strong for Peter Kipkorir (8:36.3) and Isaac Yego (8:40.1) in 3,000m steeplechase race.

Wellington Kirui (8:51.0), Patrick Chekor (8:53.8) and Collins Ng’eno (8:53.1) came in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Thomas Musembi easily won the 400m in 46.7, outsmarting Moses Kertich (46.9) and Elijah Mandago (47.1).

Samuel Korir (14:5) bowed to Amon Chepsongol (14.3)  in 11o metres hurdles as Wilson Wahome (14.7) and Nicholas Bett (15.0) followed.

In the women’s front, Gladys Kemboi proved her mettle in 5,000m winning in a brilliant 15:55.5.

Beatrice Chepkemoi (16:04.4), Hellen Chemutai (16:20.0) and Joyceline Koima (16:35.8) followed as Nancy Githaiga (16:36.2), Jane Wanja (16:36.5) and Josphine Nyagora (17:09.8) sealed the top-six spots.

Kemboi, who was Kenya’s first woman to win the IAAF World Junior steeplechase title in 2004, was grateful of her superb comeback.

“I have been out of action for two-and-half years over a knee injury. But I feel good to battle for a place national team to world championships,” said Kemboi.

Shelmith Miriuki carried the 3,000m steeplechase title in 10:28.3 ahead of Mercy Jerono (10:41.4) and Lorna Chemutai (10:46.5).

Caroline Chepkwany (11:03.7), Masas Jelagat (11:08.7) and Mercy Koech (14:21.6) followed.

Commonwealth Games 400m runner Maureen Chelagat confirmed her supremacy when she blew away her rivals to win one-lap race title in 52.6.