10,000m: Ugandans continue to haunt Kenyans in Club Games

Uganda's Stella Chesang crosses the finish line in front of Kenya's Stacy Ndiwa in women's 10 000m final during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games yesterday. [AFP]

Homegirl Ndiwa loses ‘cross-border’ fight with Uganda’s Chesang.

Uganda once again haunted Kenyans as Stella Chesang snatched women’s 10,000m gold at the Carrara Stadium yesterday.

It was Uganda’s maiden crown in the 25-lap race in the Club Games history; coming just a day after world 10,000m silver medallist Joshua Cheptegei snatched the men’s 5,000m title.

Kenyans –Stacy Ndiwa, Beatrice Mutai and Sandra Felis Chebet –dictated the proceedings, toying around their opponents’ mid-way through the race even as the Ugandans kept a closer look.

They formed the leading pack of nine runners before they broke up with two laps into the race.

Chesang produced a sudden burst of speed with 600metres left in what turned out to be a ‘cross-border fight’ between the two. Ndiwa comes Mt Elgon while Chesang comes from neighbouring Kapchorwa village in Uganda.

Ndiwa, who made her maiden appearance in the 2008 Commonwealth Games, engaged a futile pursuit as Chesang won in 31:45.30.

Ndiwa settled for silver in a personal best of 31:46.36, while another Ugandan, Mercyline Chelangat, (31:48.36) bagged bronze.

Beatrice Mutai finished fourth in a personal best of 31:49.81 while Canada’s Natasha Wodak set a season best time of 31:50.18. Sandra Felis Chebet (32:11.92) returned 10th.

“As Ugandans, we are very happy to win our first 10,000m gold at the Commonwealth Games. I trailed Ndiwa, my close neighbour just across the boarder and eventually beat her. This is our chance,” said Chesang.

On her part, Ndiwa took pride in her performance and opted to look beyond the silver medal finish.

“My pace during the race was good, but I found it difficult to raise my pace on the final lap. I prepare to compete at the Shanghai Diamond League.”

The performance was below par compared to the 2014 Commonwealth Games show in Glasgow where Joyce Chepkirui orchestrated the historic Commonwealth Games 10,000m podium sweep at Hampden Park Stadium.

During the race, the Kenyans decided not to talk to each other and opted to use gestures to signal their moves because Ugandan opponents Vanis Chemutai and Chebet Toroitich understood their mother-tongue.

This enabled Chepkirui to lead world 21km record holder Florence Kiplagat and two-time world cross country champion Emily Chebet into the ‘Club’ Games history books as the only nation to stage a podium sweep in women’s 10,000m.

So far, Kenya has lost two Club Games titles to Uganda –Caleb Mwangangi (5,000m) and Chepkirui’s crown.

Salina Kosgei, the 2002 winner in Manchester City, holds the games’ championships record at 31:27.83.

Field events were tough for Kenya as Africa champion Mathew Sawe faded to seventh place in High Jump.