Soldiers raid track: Cherono, Chepkok produce brilliant shows as KDF championships begin

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Athletes in action during the Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championships at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium, yesterday. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

World half marathon winner Gladys Cherono and former world cross-country silver medalist Vincent Chepkok yesterday produced brilliant shows at the 35th Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championships.

The three-day showpiece, which ends tomorrow, saw the KDF various barracks offer mouth-watering clashes at Kenya’s sporting cathedral, the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.

The 30-year-old runner stuck with the leading pack that had four-time KDF cross-country champion Linet Chepkurui, former world cross-country junior runner Gladys Chemweno and Iness Chenonge.

The lithe athlete, who is the reigning Africa 5,000m and 10,000m champion, produced a sudden burst of speed that reduced the field to shreds on the penultimate circuit, winning in 16:49.8.

Chepkuri, who has been in the national cross-country many times, finished second in 16:52.1 as Moi Airbase (Mab) Chemweno (17:52.0) wound up third. Chenonge (17:21.5), who competes for (Mab), Susan Muthoni (17:26.1) of Isiolo followed.

dictated pace

Cherono dictated the slow pace in the initial stages before Chenonge fell back as Chemweno and Chepkurui stuck in tow.

She exchanged the lead with the two and then charged back with a super-finish to go past the flagging Chemweno, who drifted back to third.

Cherono, a first born in a family of two, said she was well prepared.

“I could study the race due to its slow start. I will not compete in any race, I’m focussing on the Commonwealth Games’ 10,000m,” said Cherono, a mother of one.

“I have no plans to defend my titles at the Africa championship. If I make team, I will not double,” she added.

In the men’s front, Chepkok marshaled strong forces with colleague Wilson Too that saw his Kahawa barracks squad sweep 1-2, leaving 2009 world half marathon runner Kiplimo Kimutai settled for third spot.

Chepkok, who hails from Kamwosor Village in Keiyo South, left Kimutai to do the pace making for 22 laps before producing a sudden surge to win in 29:04.6.

Newcomer Too (29:06.4) and Kimutai (29:10.5) and Kiprop Menjo (29:41.7), both of Laikipia Airbase, followed. Nairobi’s Arita Omiso (29:43.5) and Patrick Nywato (29:45.0) followed.

cocktail of battles

The KDF action also promises a cocktail of battles with Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Abel Mutai expected to headline the water and barriers race this morning.

Former Africa 1,500m silver medalist Gideon Gathimba, competing for Laikipia Airbase (LAB), will line up in semi final today.

Jackson Kivuva, the former Africa 800m bronze medalist, will line up in the two-lap race show slugging it out with a handful of newcomers.

Thika-based John Kipkoech Chepkwony, who has posted a brilliant 12:45 last season, will team up with team mate and former world cross-country champion Joseph Ebuya against former world cross-country bronze medalist in the 5,000m duel.

Former world junior 800m silver medalist Winnie Chebet of Thika will be up against 2008 Olympic 1,500m champion Nancy Jebet Lagat and Africa bronze medalist Jane Chelagat in the two-lap race.

She will compete in the 1,500m race and needs to be at her best to counter World Indoor 1,500m champion Hellen Obiri of Lab and former World Youth 1,500m champion Sheila Chepkurui in the metric mile. —[e-mail]