Kenya’s Lilian Kasait, Hellen Obiri pick Tokyo Olympics tickets

Hellen Obiri, Lilian Kasait (Front) at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, June 17, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, The Standard]

Lilian Kasait, the 2017 world cross country bronze medalist, won the  5000m title ahead of Olympic 5000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri (14:52.51) and world 10000m bronze medallist Agnes Jebet Tirop (14:53.91).

Kasait won in an impressive 14:52.19 on Thursday at the Kasarani Stadium.

She said: "I didn’t expect to win, I thank God for victory and good health. The race was tactical. I didn’t have many races but my preparations were uninterrupted. My wish is to ensure we work as a team in Tokyo to ensure we deliver podium finishes."

Obiri said she is under no pressure as she heads to the Olympics.

It remains to be seen if Obiri and Kasait will defend Vivian Cheruiyot's title in Tokyo.

More to follow...