Jebet beats strong field to win 5,000m at Thika meet

Runners compete in 3,000m steeplechase at Thika Municipal Stadium, on Friday. [PHOTOS: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

By Jonathan Komen

World cross-country junior silver medalist Agnes Jebet Tirop beat a strong field to win the women’s 5,000m final at the National Bank of Kenya and Athletics Kenya (NBK/AK) track and field meeting at Thika Municipal Stadium.

Big guns among them world 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Milca Chemos and Olympic 800m bronze medalist Timothy Kitum took vantage positions even as the stars battled the muddy track.

Jebet, a Standard Eight pupil at Obutunet Primary in Nandi County, tore the field to shreds as she produced a storming run that left her challengers gasping on her wake.

The 17-year-old runner, who anchored Kenya into reclaiming the overall junior title at last month’s IAAF World Cross-Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, won in 16 minutes and 31.5 seconds.

Margaret Waithera (16:52.8), Jane Wanja (17:07.5) and Mirriam Muthoni (17:24.5) came second, third and fourth as Jedidah Wanjiru (17:57.2), Joyce Muthoni (18:01.2) and Mary Mwaniki (18:09.8) followed.

Jebet vowed to reclaim the women’s 3,000m title Kenya lost to Genetso Tibiso in Lille.

“I am glad to have won the race. I want to make the team to World Youth (Ukraine) in July and hope to win big,” said Jebet, who is managed Gianni Demadonna.

Lydia Chepkurui (4:18.4), fourth-placed at the All Africa Games 3,000m steeplechase final in Maputo Mozambique, bowed to little-known Mary Karua (4:17.2) in the women’s 1,500m battle.

Beatrice Jepkoech (4:20.1) of Kericho, Maria Cecilia (4:31.0) and Nancy Kathure (4:32.5) of Kemu checked in third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Lucia Muthie (4:33.0) of prisons and Janet Komen (4:34.8) followed.

Lucia Kameme of Laikipa Airbase carried the women’s 3,000m steeplechase title in 10:36.6, beating Viginia Nyambura (10:39.0) of Mfae in Nyahururu and soldiers Agnes Chesang (10:43.4) and Dorcas Nzembi (10:43.7).

Shelmith Miriuki (11:17.0), Caroline Mudhali (11:47.6) and Veronica Ndule (12:50.0) came in that order.

Maureen Chelagat led Agnes Mueni, Agnes Kangogo and Maureen Mutinda into qualifying for today’s 400m finals.

Bernard Waweru wore the men’s 10,000m crown in a brilliant 29:59.6 ahead of Joshua Maingi of Machakos (30:11.4) and Prisons’ Daniel Too (30:20.2) as Charles Chemase (30:26.6), Peter Mwasya (30:27.2) and Charles Chengei (30:52.3) followed.

Jared Rono won men’s 1,500m heat one in 3:51.8 ahead of Stephen Kichwani (3:53.7) and Simon Kirundi (3:57.4). John Kariuki (3:54.7) was too good for James Macharia (3:56.6) and Philip Ewan (3:58.5).