Kiplagat oozes class in Eldoret

It was a wet affair for these athletes at the New KCC/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting’s steeplechase race at the Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret on Friday. Photo/ JARED NYATAYA

What you need to know:

  • World cross country champion through to 1,500m final at KCC weekend track meet

The IAAF World Cross Country Championships’ senior women’s champion Florence Kiplagat produced a storming run to upstage a strong field of runners in 1,500 metres race to qualify for the final at the New KCC/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting in Eldoret on Friday.

Kiplagat tore the field into shreds as she produced a brilliant run in the last 200 metres, upsetting the 1987 All African Games 5,000m champion Leah Malot to win in four minutes and 30 seconds.

Gladys Kwambai and Malot came second and third in 4:35.3 and 4:30.4 respectively.

Kiplagat, who launched her track season at the meet, will battle upcoming runners Janeth Jeptoo and Jebichi Yator of Nike Club who posted impressive 4:28.1 and 4:29.8 respectively to qualify for today’s finals.

Lived up to her billing

Elizabeth Rumokol, who entered the competition as an individual, humbled Veronicah Jepkorir with a brilliant display of pace that saw her post 34:13.7 in 10,000 metres.

Jepkorir clocked 35:10.2 to finish in second, ahead of Naomi Jepngetich from Kapsabet who settled for the third place in 35:38.2 in yesterday’s final.

Jepkorir was third at the Kakamega meet two weeks ago. Lilian Nashiban of Sikawet Training Camp lived to her billing to win the 3,000 metres steeplechase women’s title at 11:03.7.

Judith Jepkoech of Kiptenden Club of Kericho and Mercy Kiptoo of the armed forces finished second and third in 11:20.9 and 11:33.9 respectively.

Ruth Kemunto of General Service Unit carried the 100 metres title in 15.8 ahead of Jeptoo Tireito and Catherine Kagwi who clocked 16.1 and 16.3 respectively.

Betty Jelagat of Sigawet won the 400 metres women’s race in 63.1 while Ruth Kemunto of GSU and Maurine Mutindi of Machakos club followed her in 64.5 and 64.9.

Silas Kiplagat, Gilbert Kipsang and Elijah Kipchirchir recorded 3:45.5, 3:48.0 and 3:53.3 respectively to secure their places in today’s 400m men’s final.

Vincent Kiprop of Kenya Prisons clocked 52.7 to win the 400m men heats.

Kiptoo will be against soldiers Wesley Mengech of Embakasi Garrison and Amon Chepsongol of Kahawa Garrison who timed at 54.5 and 55.1 respectively.

Kipkemboi Soi of Kahawa crossed the tape at 10.5 in 100m with Tom Musinde of Kenya Navy and Job Lukale of Embakasi clocking 10.6 and 10.9 respectively.