Olympian Nyairera star attraction as Kenya Prisons champions begin at Nyayo

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Former world 1,500m silver medalist Silas Kiplagat and Olympic 800m bronze medalist Margaret Nyairera are among star attractions at the Kenya Prisons Athletics Championships that begin at Nyayo Stadium today.

It will be a sight to behold as Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto, Africa 10,000m champion Alice Aprot, Olympian Antony Chemut, Commonwealth Games 800m runner Evans Korir and Paris Marathon winner Mark Korir put on the Kenya Prisons jerseys for the first time.

Visiline Jepkesho, who competed in Beijing World Championships marathon, will line up in 10,000m.

But Kiplagat, an alumnus of Chebara Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County, is expected to lead the 1,500m charges in the chase for slots in the corrective department’s team to the national championships set for June 22.

Olympic 5,000m bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa will light up in 5,000m alongside newcomer Cornelius Kangogo.

Benjamin Njoga, who is Kenya Prisons Athletics chairman, said his charges were ready to face any challenge this season.

“We want to set our destiny right from our championships and that’s why the Prisons decided to beef up the team. We want to claim a sizeable number of slots in the national team to World Championships. The event will also serve as an interactive platform for our officers,” said Njoga, who is also the Deputy Commissioner General of Kenya 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.

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 championships and Joseph Birech, the 2010 Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist, are also in the 10,000m mix.

Reuben Bett, a regular competitor in AK meetings, will take on Commonwealth Games finalist Evans Korir as Hosea Cheronyei and Hosea Chirchir line up in 1,500m.

Vincent Kosgei, the 2010 Commonwealth Games sensation, will light up the 400m.

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

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