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The Nairobian

Stars in waiting

Weird News

By The Standard Sports | Jun 14, 2009

By Joseph Ngure’

Upcoming Hillary Tuwei and a rejuvenated Eunice Sum overcame a classic field to win 800m during the North Rift Athletics Kenya Provincial championships in Eldoret yesterday.

Running for Wareng District, Tuwei, an Olympics Solidarity scholarship holder, ran the fastest heat to become the overall winner in 1:47.1 in the championship held under scorching sun.

"The time is encouraging. This is my personal best and I hope to do better in 800m although my specialty is 1,500m," said Tuwei, 18, who trains at the IAAF/IOC High Performance Training Centre inside Kip Keino’s Kazi Mingi Farm.

Benson Kiplagat, representing Nandi Central, and Eliud Rutto of Eldoret West finished second and third in 1:48.4 and 1:48.9.

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In women’s event, Sum, who trains with 800m world champion, Janeth Jepkosgei (Eldoret Express), ran a classic solo race to stop the clock in 2:10.1 to qualify for the National Championships later this month.

Nandi Central’s Racho Jerubet and teammate Viola Jebet trailed Sum to occupy the podium in 2:11.9 and 2:14.5 respectively. Sum ran for Wareng District.

In 10,000m, the duo of Elizabeth Rumokal and Chemutai Rionotokei came classer to attaining World Championships qualifying standards after clocking impressive 32:06.6 and 32:40.5 respectively.

Pamela Chepkoech was third in 32:56.7. Rumokal and Rionotokei ran for Marakwet and West Pokot districts while Chepkoech carried Nandi Central’s flag.

The men’s version was won by Wareng’s Wilson Kiprop, who timed 28:54.8 ahead of road racer Peter Sitienei of Eldoret East in 28:55.3 with Julius Kogo timing 29:21.7 in third place.

The championship that brought together 18 districts in the region saw Valentine Kipketer (Eldoret East) and Marakwet’s Philemon Limo win the 5,000m apart.

Kipketer managed 16:21.7 followed by Rose Chesongol (Wareng) 16:36.5 and Veronica Jepkorir (Marakwet) 16:42.4, while in men, Limo finished in 14:14.6 with former youth champion William Tarus and Anthony Maritim sealing the podium in 14:17.7 and 14:24.0

Preparation for the Championships was marred by the sudden closure of Moi University’s Chepkoilel Campus ground to athletes who have used it for years.

A stand-off almost ensued between the college administration on one side and some elite athletes and coaches on the other.

On Tuesday, more than 100 athletes including Olympics 3,000m steeplechase champion, Brimin Kipruto, and Commonwealth 5,000m champion, Augustine Choge, were shocked when security guards from the institution restrained them from training in the open track.