Athletics: Jepkoech stars at Special Olympics Kenya Elgeyo Marakwet County trials

By JOSEPH NGURE  and ERICK OCHIENG

Timothy Koech (left) and Titus Kimeli display their medals during the SOK trials

Anita Jepkoech bagged two gold medals to emerge best athlete at the Special Olympics Kenya (SOK) Elgeyo Marakwet County trials for next year’s 14th edition of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, USA.

Jepkoech led her football team to be crowned champions in the daylong event held in Iten at the weekend. She also clocked 2:44.9 to win the women’s 800m race, before clinching bronze in 200m which she timed 35:03.

Brenda Jerono and Hillary Tuitoek, both of Mindiliwa Special School, emerged second best athletes during the trials by clinching a gold and two silver medals each.

Jerono won silver in the women’s 800m after timing (2:45.2) and 200m (34.07), while Tuitoek won gold in men’s 800m (2:32.8) and two silver medals in football and men’s 5,000m where he clocked 4:42.00.

Kipng’etich Yator was the champion in the men’s 5,000m after finishing in 4:33.05. He was placed third in the 800m after clocking 2:50.02.

“I am looking forward to qualifying for the national trials where I want to compete in the 5,000m and half marathon to book places in the World Summer Games team,” said Yator. Elgeyo Marakwet County Minister for Sports, Art and Culture Kirop Shadrack Yatich said: “We are happy to have partnered with SOK. We supported the weekend trials to the tune of Sh300, 000.”

The 27 athletes selected at the weekend will represent the county in the regional trials in Nakuru on May 14-16 from where 25 athletes will be picked to represent the Rift Valley region at the national trials in Machakos on June 26-27. During the national trials, national squad for the 14th World Summer Games in USA in July 2015 will be picked.