Asbel top draw as Nyeri track contest ends

Big names dominated the second and the final day of the New KCC/Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting staged at Nyeri’s Ruring’u Stadium on Saturday.

Asbel Kiprop’s appearance in the 1,500 metres final caught everyone’s attention and for sure he met the fans’ expectations by winning the race in one minute, 47 seconds.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics silver medalist signalled his intentions for this season saying he’s aiming the world title in Berlin in August.

“The race was good, but not competitive. I think it is because the season has not picked momentum. I was expecting a lower time,” said the star who was running for the Kenya Police.

World Championships

His training mate at the High Performance Training Centre in Eldoret, Abraham Sawe, and Alfred Ruto were breathing down his neck and managed second and third positions posting 1.48.9 and 1.49.4 respectively.

Kiprop disclosed that this year’s World Championships in Berlin will be competitive, saying that his main challenger will be Africa champion Harun Keitany.

The men’s 10,000m final was purely a Mfae Club affair with the top three runners emerging from the Nyahururu-based club.
Samuel Ndung’u, Samuel Mwangi and Richard Ndegwa scooped the first three positions after what they termed as teamwork.

The three broke off from the pack in the early moments to open up a huge 50-metre gap in the eighth lap.

Ndung’u clocked 28:51.2 to win the race while Mwangi and Ndegwa posted 28:51.4 and 28:59.3 in second and third place.
Japan-based John Kariuki, who was the pre-race favorite, was relegated to sixth position.

“I am proud of the victory although the time is not good. The morning’s heat and the dust was overwhelming. I hoped to clock 28:30 but 28:51 is good.” Said Ndung’u.

He said that he is aiming to earn a ticket to the national team for Berlin but said that he would have to seek permission from his Japanese employer before featuring in more local races.

Joyce Wanjiku, of Kenya Police won the 5,000m race flooring main contenders, Nyahururu Elite’s Ann Wanjiru and Antonah Ruto.

The winner clocked 16:07.3 while Wanjiru and Ruto were timed at 16:41.2 and 16:59.3 in second and third place respectively.

The 3,000m steeplechase finally took off after officials bought water for the jump after the local municipal council declined to avail water for the race.

Michael Kimtai of Prison won a 8:55.9 victory while Nyahururu Elite’s Kennedy Mureithi came second. Nanyuki based Esan Kipkoech’s strong kick secured him the third position after he floored fourth-placed Ronald Tanui of Armed Forces.

The third New KCC/AK competition will be staged in a fortnight at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

The New KCC has sponsored the series to the tune of Sh10 millions with Sh4.5million going directly to Athletics Kenya for organisation and Sh5.5 million being spent on publicity and logistics.

Selected results:

10,000m finals: 1. Samuel Ndung’u mfae 28.51.2, 2. Samuel Mwangi Mfae 28.51.5, 3. Richard Ndegwa Mfae 28.59.3, 4. Alex Mwangi Kerugoya 29.08.4, 5. John Mwangangi Prison 29.20.9.
800m men: 1. Asbel Kiprop HPTC 1.47.0, 2. Habram Sagwe HPTC 1.48., 3. Alfred Ruto Police 1.49, 4. Farah Mohamed HPTC 1.50, 5. David Mundida IND 1.52
800m women: 1. Milka Chemosi police 2.11.9, 2. Nelly Cheptanui Navy 2.12.7, 3. Anneth Mwanzia Prison 2.13.6
4. Margaret Muthoni Mfae 2.16.2, 5. Skolar Chepkemboi IND 2.17.5
5,000m women: 1. Joyce wanjiku Police 16.07.3, 2. Ann Wanjiru Elite 16.41.3, 3. Antonah Ruto Police 16.59.3, 4. Fridah Kaimuri Kemu 17.32.8, 5. Beatrice Murugu Elite 17.40.9.
Hammer throw women: 1. Patricia Wangu Police 41.10m, 2. Grace Cherono Police 34.92m, 3. Agnes Chemkemoi MAB 34.45.
Hammer throw men: 1. Dennis Sakawa EMBA 50.78, 2. Kimeli Tanui Kahawa 43.35, 3. Boaz Manyancha Navy 43.28
Long Jump women: 1. Regina Mucyatya Prison 5.18m, 2. Mary Mugure AF 5.07m, 3. Damaris Imbongo MAB 4.90m.