Chespol tears apart steeplechase field at Kasarani

From left: Australia's Genevieve Lacaze, US athlete Emma Coburn and Kenya's Celliphine Chepteek Chespol compete in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Africa 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott won the men's 3 000m steeplechase race beating World Junior 3,000m steeplechase champion Amos Kirui to second place. Kibiwott clocked 8.27.8 while Kirui 8:28.3.
  • They will now be joined by Olympic and World champion Conseslus Kipruto for the Commonwealth Games.
  • Kipruto withdrew from the trials with stomach pains.

A ruthless World Junior 3,000m steeplechase champion Cellphine Chespol tore the field apart to win women's 3,000m steeplechase race during the Commonwealth Games trials on Saturday at Kasarani.

Chespol, who is also the World Cross Country junior bronze medallist, romped home in 9 minutes and 40.6 seconds to win by five seconds.

Chespol, who is also in the senior women's team for Africa Cross Country Championships due March 17 in Algeria, edged out Commonwealth Games 3 000m steeplechase champion Purity Kirui to second place in 9:45.2.

CHERONO IN THE MIX

Fancy Cherono claimed the last slot in the women's team with a time of 9:49.9.

"My focus is to perform well and secure a podium place," said Chespol.

"I am glad to have hit form at the right time," said Kirui who won the 2014 Games title.
Africa 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott won the men's 3 000m steeplechase race beating World Junior 3,000m steeplechase champion Amos Kirui to second place. Kibiwott clocked 8.27.8 while Kirui 8:28.3.

They will now be joined by Olympic and World champion Conseslus Kipruto for the Commonwealth Games.

Kipruto withdrew from the trials with stomach pains.