Margaret Nyairera stuns Maureen Jelagat at AK Thika meeting

Margaret Nyairera (left) competes with Maureen Jelagat in the 4x400m relay during the AK Thika Meeting on March 5, 2016. Nyairera won the 400m race. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Nyairera, 20, from Laikipia Air Base, clocked 53.8 seconds, surprising Jelagat, who won the first and second meets in Bondo and Mumias, respectively.
  • Kenya Prisons’ Jelagat finished second in 54.0 followed by Sandra Chepkoech from Kenya Police in 56.6.
  • Africa 100m silver medallist Eunice Kedogo won in 100m after clocking (12.1).

World junior 800m gold medallist Margaret Nyairera on Saturday stunned national 400m champion Maureen Jelagat in women’s 400m race during the third Athletics Kenya Track and Field Meeting at Thika Stadium.

The 2014 World Relays 4x800m silver medallist Sylvia Chesebe cruised to her second victory in women’s 800m race. Africa 20km race walk champion Grace Wanjiru and 2012 Africa 3,000m steeplechase champion Mercy Njoroge also reigned supreme in their specialities.

Nyairera, 20, from Laikipia Air Base, clocked 53.8 seconds, surprising Jelagat, who won the first and second meets in Bondo and Mumias, respectively.

Kenya Prisons’ Jelagat finished second in 54.0 followed by Sandra Chepkoech from Kenya Police in 56.6.

However, Jelagat, who has switched from 400m to 400m hurdles for the Rio Olympic Games, later guided her team to 4x400m victory in 3:44.6, beating Nyairera’s team to second in 3:45.1.

OLYMPICS TRIALS

“The victory is a good build-up towards Olympic Games trials,” said Nyairera, who represented Kenya in 800m at the World Championships in Beijing last year but lost in the first round.

Wanjiru, who has won the Africa 20km walk title four times in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2014, started her season strongly, winning the 10km event in 44:41.8.

Samuel Kerori (Prisons) won the men’s 10km race walk in 42:30.5, beating Pater Theuri (LAB) 43:05.7 and Eric Shikuku (Mombasa) 44.50.4.

Emmanuel Kipsang (Navy) won the men’s 10,000m race in 29:06.1, beating James Kibet (Police) 29:14.5 while Mary Wangari took women’s 10,000m honours in 34:40.8.

Africa 100m silver medallist Eunice Kedogo won in 100m after clocking (12.1).