Chepkirui returns to claim national 5,000m title

Sheila Chepkirui wins the women's 10,000m final during the Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championship at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 26, 2016. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Chepkirui made a memorable return from maternity leave to win women's National 5,000m title
  • Chepkirui glided home in 15 minutes and 23.69 seconds brushing aside team-mate Dorcas Kimeli to second place in 15:26.05
  • Simiyu virtually strutted home in 13:15.92 beating team-mate Robert Kiprop to second place in 13:21.86

The 2016 Africa 5,000m champion Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya Defence Forces is back.

Chepkirui made a memorable return from maternity leave to win women's National 5,000m title at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.

Little-known Daniel Simiyu from North Rift won men's 5,000m.

Chepkirui glided home in 15 minutes and 23.69 seconds brushing aside team-mate Dorcas Kimeli to second place in 15:26.05 as South Rift's Eva Cherono timed 15:27.73 for third place.

"The race was quite fine but I won't relent until the World Championships trials. I want to make it back to the big event and perform better," said Chepkirui who finished seventh during the 2017 World Championships in London.

The National trials for the World Championships due September 28 to October 6 will be held from September 10 to 11 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Simiyu virtually strutted home in 13:15.92 beating team-mate Robert Kiprop to second place in 13:21.86 as North Rift swept all the podium places with Michael Kibet coming in third in 13:25.49.