Kenyans humbled in Birmingham: Athletes stumble as search for Diamond League trophy intensifies

ATHLETICS-GBR-DIAMOND-BIRMINGHAM Kenya's Hellen Onsando Obiri reacts after competing in the women's 3,000m during the 2017 IAAF Birmingham Diamond League athletics meeting at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF

Obiri, Manangoi, Chebet, Birech gun for top positions with two legs to go.

Kenyan stars stumbled in Birmingham IAAF Diamond League as World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri finished fourth in the quality 3,000m race that was won by Sifan Hassan of The Netherlands.

Three-time World champion Asbel Kiprop, who competed in 800m, also failed to conquer in his race, same as World championships semi-finalist Winny Chebet in 1,500m, Davis Kiplagat (3,000m), World 10,000m bronze Agnes Tirop, Margaret Chelimo and World Cross Country bronze medallist Lilian Kasait (3,000m).

Obiri, 27, appeared tired –understandable for someone who is approaching the end of a year that has really been tremendous. She has competed in cross-country, indoor and outdoor races. 

With 200m left, Obiri tried to kick, but her pursuers were right behind her. Germany's Konstanze Klosterhalfen had worked her way through the field and moved on to Obiri's shoulder, but it was world indoor 1500m champion Sifan Hassan who had the best finish, kicking on to win in a new national record of 8:28.90.

Klosterhalfen finished second in a German record of 8:29.89 ahead of Kenyan's Chelimo, who posted a new personal best of 8:30.11 in the distance. Chelimo has 13.00 points in the Diamond League behind Obiri, who leads the event's series with 29.00 points after four meetings, finished fourth clocking 8:30.21.

She eyes her final track season in Brussels' Diamond League meeting on September 1.

Kasait (8:33.79) was sixth while Tirop, the 2015 World Cross Country champion, finished a distance eighth in her lifetime best time of 8:35.23.

Chebet, a world championships semi-finalist, timed 4:02.24 to finish second behind Ethiopian Seyaum Dawit (4:01.36) while Moroccan Rababe Arafi was third in 4:02.95.

In men's 800m, Kiprop, who has had a troubled season that included a ninth-place finish at the World Championships in London, once again stumbled to finish seventh in 1:46.05. Botswana's Amos Nijel won in 1:44.50.

Kiprop has already announced his intentions of running in longer distance – 5,000m from next season.

Polish duo of Adam Kszczot and Marcin Lewandowski took the second and third position in a time of 1:45.28 and 1:45.33 respectively.

Men's 3,000, Kenya's Davis Kiplagat failed to challenge the four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah who was running his final track race in British soil.

The Briton easily tucked away his opponents to cross the line in 7:38.64. Spain's Adel Mechaal was second in 7:40.34, a stride ahead of Kiplagat.