Prisons stars face off in a two-day battle in Kasarani

Prisons stars face off in a two-day battle in Kasarani

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Former world 1,500m silver medalist Silas Kiplagat is among notable absentees at the Kenya Prisons Athletics Championships that kicks off at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani today.

Kiplagat, an alumnus of Chebara Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County, will line up for Kenya at the inaugural IAAF World Relay Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, this weekend.

But he will put on the Prisons’ jersey at the Athletics Kenya athletics trials for Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in July and the Africa Senior Championships set for Marrakech, Morocco.

The Kenya Prisons team is teeming with globe-trotting stars and Kiplagat’s absence will not water down the two-day competition.

Olympic 5,000m bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa, who finished third at the second leg of IAAF Diamond League meet in Shanghai last Sunday, will light up 1,500m and 5,000m shows.

The Eldoret-based Longosiwa said he has recovered well from a career threatening hamstring injury he has been nursing for long.

“I am well and ready for the big battle. I will decide on whether to double up 1,500m and 5,000m for I fear of burning out early in the season given the national championships is near,” said Longosiwa.

Stop any aggression

Benjamin Njoga, who was the Moscow Worlds team manager, said his charges were ready to stop any aggression this season.

“When want to set our destiny right from our championships. We want to claim a sizeable number of slots in the national team to Commonwealth Games and Africa Championships. The event will also serve as an interactive platform for our officers,” said Njoga, the Acting Commissioner General Prisons.

Former world half marathon bronze medalist John Mwangangi will lead the men’s 10,000m charges, lining up against 2007 world marathon champion Luke Kibet and former world half marathon champion Wilson Kiprop.

miss action

But Africa 5,000m bronze medalist Timothy Kiptoo and 2006 Commonwealth Games 1,500m sensation Jonathan Komen need to be at their best to counter Longosiwa and new catch Charles Cheruiyot.

Fred Musyoki, seventh-placed at the Africa cross-country and 2007 world marathon champion Luke Kibet will battle in 10,000m.

Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist Joseph Birech will miss the action as he is nursing injury.

Reuben Bett, third at the AK meet in Mumias, is expected to blaze the trails in 800m with absence of Ferguson Rotich, who is in World Relays team. Hosea Cheronyei and Hosea Chirchir will compete in 1,500m as Commonwealth Games sensation Vincent Kosgei will light up the 400m.

Commonwealth Games 400m runner Maureen Chelagat will compete in 400m flat and 400m hurdles while Lydia Wafula and Mirriam Chepkemoi will fly the 800m flag.

Upstarts Jane Mwikali and Jane Murage will up against Susan Lekapana and Agnes Katungei in women’s 5,000m.

Cecilia Kiplagat will compete in Javelin while Terra Lang’at and Regina Mulathia lead the triple jump and long jump.  Everline Bosibori will compete in hammer.

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