Cheptai and Chepkirui wins silver and bronze in women's 10000m final

Irene Cheptai during training session in Kigari, Embu County on March 16, 2017.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Irene Cheptai and Sheila Chepkirui on Wednesday evening won silver and bronze respectively for Kenya in the 2022 Commonwealth Games women's 10000m final in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

In a two-horse race battle between Kenya and Scotland, Cheptai finished second behind new Commonwealth Games champion Eilish McCoulgan who ran a games record 30.48.50.

Chepkirui salvaged herself a bronze medal despite limping with almost four laps to go.

In the race, Cheptai and Chepkirui paced and burned the entire field including favourite Stella Chesang of Uganda but Scottish McCoulgan stuck with them after 12 laps.

Sheila Chepkirui competes in the women's 8km during Athletics Kenya 2016/17 cross country series at Posta Grounds, Ngong Road, Nairobi on Nov. 5, 2015[DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD

The Kenyan duo exchanged leads with McCoulgan in third before the Scot went ahead with four laps to go.

Chepkirui however started limping with three laps to go and was dropped by Cheptai and McCoulgan.

Cheptai took the bell leading the race before the Scot passed her in an epic and tough 100m sprint to the finish line.

In the process, McCoulgan followed in the footsteps of her mother Liz who won the 10000m in Edinburg in 1986.