TRACK DOMINANCE: Otieno, Kidake highlight Athletics Kenya relay series at Nairobi West
Athletics
By
Dennis Okeyo
| Feb 26, 2017
Sprinter Mark Otieno and Grace Kidake, who is back from maternity leave highlighted the Athletics Kenya Relays Series first leg at Nairobi West Prisons Grounds, yesterday.
The first of the five-leg relays and sprints championships will culminate in selection of Kenya's team on April 1 at Nyayo ahead of the World Relays set for Nassau, Bahamas on April 22-23.
Otieno dominated both men’s 100m and 200m clocking 10.3 and 21.1 seconds.
Peter Mwai (21.4) was second in 200m while upcoming Ferdinand Omanyala (21.7) was third. In the men’s 100m finals Omanyala was second and Emmanuel Lentukunye settled for third place.
“Last year I made some mistakes in my sprinting techniques and we have been working on those mistakes with my new coach Hillary Wesonga. We hope for the best results this season,” Otieno said.
Kidake of Postal Corporation timed 25.6 on her return from two years on maternity leave to win the women’s 200m. Patricia Isisi (26.0) was second and Mary Chepkoech (26.3) third.
In the women’s 100m finals youngster Damaris Akoth ran 12.2 seconds to beat Rose Watakwa (12.5) while Verah Lorey settled for third position in 12.8 seconds.
In the men’s 400m finals, All Africa Games silver medallist Boniface Mweresa of Kenya Defence Forces tore apart the field that included former Kenya rugby sevens rugby star Collins Omae and Kenya Prisons Service's Vincent Kosgei to win the race in 46.5. Omae finished second in 47.0 ahead of Kosgei (48.0).
In the women race, experienced Jecinta Shikanda of Kenya Police Service topped the race in 55.2. Sylvia Chesebe (55.5) was second and Everline Makena (57.4 sec) third.
Athletics Kenya Senior-Vice President in-charge of competition Paul Mutwii said he was impressed with turn out as the renovation of Kasarani and Nyayo Stadia have left them with few options, but to use the soft ground of Nairobi West Prisons which cannot help athletes attain top speeds.
"The turn out today is very impressive considering it is the first leg. It was an open event to enable us identify the best runners whom we will invite in the next leg.
"Currently, the stadia in Nairobi are closed for renovations and other one is Eldoret, which is far and that means it will be expensive ferrying athletes to compete there," Mutwii said.