Millicent Ndoro keen to sprint to London Games

By Ben Ahenda

Her desire to make a dream debut show at the Olympics is inspiring Millicent Ndoro, a Kenya Police constable, to work extra hard in the National Bank/Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meetings.

On Saturday Ndoro clocked 24.4 seconds at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru to win her the 200m dash. The time is however slow if she is to make it to the London Olympics where she has to run at least 23.10.

It was the third win on the trot for Ndoro after similar display in Bondo and Thika meetings.

"I believe this performance will propel me to run within the Olympic qualifying time and then be able to make the national team," she said.

Ndoro beat Margaret Mumbi of Lanet to second place in 25.3 seconds with Maryline Chelang’a of Police coming third after 25.5 seconds. Ndoro later led her team to win the 4x100 metres relay in 49.8 seconds followed by Prisons anchored by Mercellah Nyamboke in 49.8 while Nairobi West settled for third in 51seconds.

Embakasi’s Steve Okatch said he also faced stiff competition from experienced competitors here unlike in the first two meetings. Okatch won the men’s 200metres in 21.2 seconds followed by Jashon Jagongo of Lanet (21.3), and teammate Emmanuel Lentukunye 21.5.

Former World Junior 1,500m champion Viola Kibiwott continued her progress and build up to her former glory when she won the four lap race in 4:15.4 beating experienced World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Milcah Chemos (4:20.0) as Lydiah Chepkurui came third in 4:21.6.

Kibiwott, 28, who is coached by former international Patrick Sang, said she is using the weekend meetings to improve her speed and will shift to 5,000m at the National Olympics selection trials in July.

"My speciality is in the 5,000 metres. Am using the shorter race to gauge my speed," she said.

Nairobi West won the women’s 4x400metres relay timed at 3:48.67 ahead of Lanet 3:56.57 while Uganda led by Agnes Aneno was third in 3:8.56 edging out Isiolo 4:43.49.

Aneno later won the women’s 400 metres in 56.4 seconds followed by Nelly Korir in 57.0, Biarose Chepkoech (57.8) and Elizabeth Muthoka (58.3).

Peter Chesang of Kamalasaba won the men’s 10,000 metres race with a time of 29:14.1. Chesang defeated Peter Kitur of Mosoriot timed at 29:20.0 while Nicholas Kiroi of Kiptagich was third in 29:21.2.