Battle for the National Police Service Athletics Championships

By Jonathan Komen

NAIROBI, KENYA: Former world cross-country junior champion Geoffrey Kipsang pulled a fast one the elites, sneaking away with 10,000m crown at the National Police Service Athletics Championships.

Kipsang, who won the United Arab Emirates RAK 21km run in a world leading 58.54 mark, proved he was no push over, upsetting national cross-country champion Philemon Rono and former world half marathon silver medalist Bernard Kipyego.

 Two-time world junior 3,000m champion Mercy Cherono, who did not perform well at the cross-country season, was a cut above the rest, winning women’s 1,500m final in an afternoon of high drama at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Friday.

But Stacy Ndiwa, the former Commonwealth Youth Games 1,500m titleholder, shook off challenge from veteran steeplechaser Lydia Rotich and newcomer Mary Wacera to win 5,000m race.

 Ndiwa, the alumnus of athletics-rich Kosirai Girls in Nandi Central, fired her warning shots even as the battle to replace Vivian Cheruiyot in 5,000m came to fore –Cheruiyot is on maternity leave.

 Kipsang, who is trains at the Global Sports Communications stable in Kaptagat, controlled the race even as his close challengers Philemon Rono and 2008 world junior runner Philemon Limo breathed down his neck.

The 20-year-old runner then stepped on the gas pedal on the final stretch to win in a brilliant 28:17.0

 His training mate Rono (28:18.5), Limo (28:20.0) and new catch Paul Lonyangala (28:26.0) came in second, third and fourth as Kipyego (28:36.5) and Silas Kipruto (28:40.9) followed.

Former World Youth silver medalist Daniel Selel (28:47.4), 2009 world cross silver medalist Titus Mbishei (28:50.1) and John Kemboi (28:51.0) sealed the top-nine spots.

 Kipsang, who started running while a pupil at Chepsamo Primary School in Keiyo South, said: “The race was ok. I am happy to have made the police team and the task of qualifying to world championships remains now.”

Former Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Augustine Choge (3:40.4) easily qualified into today’s men’s 1,500m finals.

The Iten-based Choge will take on Hillary Maiyo (3:41.1) and Cornelius Ndiwa (3:41.3).

Fireworks are expected when Choge fights it out with Vickson Polonet (3:41.7), former Africa junior 1,500m silver medalist Nixon Chepseba (3:42.3) and former world 3,000m champion Isaiah Koech Kiplang’at (3:42.3).

Former World Youth 800m bronze medalist David Mutinda will light up the 400m finals.

But Mercy Cherono, who has been slightly below the radar since graduating to seniors, proved her mettle.

She won 1,500m in 4:10.3), beating Margaret Wangare (4:11.4), Stacy Ndiwa (4:13.0) and world 3,000m bronze medalist Milka Chemos (4:15.6).

Caroline Tuikong, who holds the world junior 3,000m steeplechase record, faded to eighth in 4:36.5.

But Ndiwa led the 5,000m charges in 16:19.5 ahead of Mary Wacera (16:19.8) and Lydia Rotich (16:20.0).

Several races were up last evening, with Milka Chemos expected to light up the 3,000m steeplechase.

 

Saturday’s highlight races

08:45am 10,000m women finals

10:10am 1,500m men finals

10:50am 5,000m men finals

10:55am 800m women finals

11:10am 800m men finals

11:40am 3,000m steeplechase finals