Bett, Manangoi shine at second AK Relay Series
What you need to know:
- Kipyegon won his semi-final with the fastest time.
World Under-20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett clocked 1 minute and 48.9.seconds to win the men’s 800m contest during the second Athletics Kenya Relay Series at Kenya Prisons grounds, Nairobi West on Saturday.
Kipyegon, who was declared Junior Athlete of the Year during the 2016 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya), started his season well, winning his semi-final with the fastest time.
Cornelius Tuwei returned the second fastest time of 1:49.1 in his semi-final with Timothy Cheruiyot going for third best in 1:49.3.
However, running his first race since the end of the World Indoor Series two weeks ago, world 1,500m silver medallist Elijah Manangoi clocked the fastest time of 1:48.5 in his 800m heat but opted out of the semi-finals.
The 2016 Diamond League 800m trophy winner Ferguson Rotich also got his season off to a good start with 1:50.2 in his 800m heat but also opted not to advance to the semis.
“It’s a good start but I still have got a lot to polish up on especially my speed in the last 150m and finishing kick in the last 80m,” said Bett, who boasts of a personal best of 1:43.76.
Emily Cherotich clocked 2:05.4 to reign in women’s 800m, beating Eglay Nalianya and Mirriam Chepkemoi in 2:06.3 and 2:07.7 respectively.
Mark Otieno ran the best time of 20.8 in 200m, edging out Ferdinand Omanyala to second place in 21.1 as national 100m and 200m champion Mike Mokamba came in third in 21.2.
Regional Under-20 champion Damaris Akoth won the women’s 200m in 25.3sec, beating Mary Chepkoech and Mercy Hadija to second and third places in 25.4 and 26.1 respectively.
Former 200m champion Collins Omae returned 47.3 seconds to win in 400m with Joseph Poghisio and William Kayian in pursuit in 47.9 and 48.3 in that order.
