Kipkemboi and Cheruiyot also ensure it is happy day for Kenyans in Gold Coast

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri wins the athletics women's 5000m final during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on April 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

World champions Hellen Obiri went to the Commonwealth Games as the red hot favourite to win gold in 5,000m and the script was not about to change.

The Kenya Defence Forces runner might not have been in the best form going into the race with the season having just began with cross country races, but she summoned her powers to lead a 1-2 finish for Kenya and ensured that there were no shocks in the final day of Track and Field action at the Carrara Stadium yesterday.

Another world champion, Elijah Manangoi was also not about to tear up the script as he followed in Obiri’s footsteps in delivering a fourth gold for Kenya at these Games. (See more on page 41)

Manangoi led teammate and training partner Timothy Cheruiyot in another 1-2 finish for Kenya just like Obiri had led Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi in winning the top two medals for Kenya.

From the onset, Obiri, Kipkemboi and Eva Cherono, looked hungry for glory and also looked keen in ensuring the title won by Mercy Cherono four years ago remained in Kenya.

Obiri took to the front after a slower pace at the start as Kipkemboi, Cherono and a group of six other athletes kept in touch.

They remained tucked behind the world champion up to the sixth lap when Kipkemboi surged forward with a daring charge.

She controlled the race up to the ninth lap as Obiri breathed down her neck while Cherono kept up with the chasing pack.

It was then that Obiri reclaimed the lead and stepped up the pace as Kipkemboi trailed her, opening a small gap in between with five two laps into the race.

They went on to widen the gap even as Uganda’s Juliet Chekwel and Australia’s Cella Sullohern tried to hit back. Cherono then drifted back to sixth place.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - Women's 5000m - Final - Carrara Stadium - Gold Coast, Australia - April 14, 2018. Kenyan runners gold medallist Hellen Obiri, silver medallist Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi and seventh-placed Eva Cherono. REUTERS

By then, Obiri and Kipkemboi had opened unassailable 40-metre gap and it was clear that the Kenyans were headed for a 1-2 victory.

They approached the bell with a storming run as Chekwel battled in an effort to win bronze.

Kipkemboi threatened to seize the gold medal, but Obiri produced a trademark sprint to victory in 15:13.11.

Kipkemboi (15:15.28) and England’s Laura Weightman (15:25.84) bagged silver and bronze medals, respectively as Chekwel (15:30.17) and homegirl Cella Sullohern (15:34.73) returned fourth, fifth and sixth.

Eilish Mccolgan (15:34.88) of Scotland, Evan Cherono (15:36.10) and Eloise Wellings (15:39.62) followed.

“I tested the opposition in the first kilometre and realised they were not strong enough for us. We decided to take turns with Kipkemboi,” Obiri said.

“When Conseslus Kipruto helped the men secure 1-2-3 in the 3,000m steeplechase, I opted to have a talk with him. I assured him that I will replay the same feat in 5,000m today and we did it,” she said.