Gloria Kite gets the better of Cherop in Junior trials

What you need to know:

  • Both qualified for the regional championships due April 29 to 30 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
  • Cherop claimed victory at the Africa Cross Country junior women’s 6km race ahead of Kite.
  • A team of 18 athletes named after the championship will enter camp on April 15 in Nairobi.

Central Rift’s Gloria Kite onn Tuesday claimed sweet revenge against Miriam Cherop, winning her 1,500m race during national trials for the East and Central Africa Junior Championships at Nyayo Stadium.

Kite, 18, clocked four minutes and 15.1 seconds to triumph while Cherop came second in 4:21.1. Both qualified for the regional championships due April 29 to 30 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Cherop claimed victory at the Africa Cross Country junior women’s 6km race ahead of Kite.

A team of 18 athletes named after the championship will enter camp on April 15 in Nairobi.

“It feels good to win. I hope for a similar result in Dar es Salaam,” said Kite.

Kumari Taki, who was racing for the first time since winning the World Youth 1,500m in July last year, finished 14th overall in 3:50.2 in the 1,500m race held over two heats.

Anthony Kiptoo (North Rift) who finished fourth in junior race at Africa Cross returned an impressive overall best time of 3:40.2 for victory in first heat of 1,500m as Boaz Kiplagat (North Rift) came second in 3:41.1. Both made it to Dar es Salaam. 

World Youth 2,000m steeplechase silver medallist Sandra Chebet (Nairobi) won women’s 5,000m in 15:44.8, beating Immaculate Chepkirui (South Rift) in 16:04.06. World Youth 3,000m silver medallist Emily Chebet failed to finish the race after she fell.

Maureen Thomas (Nyanza South), who finished fourth in 200m at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, made a strong return, winning both women’s 200m and 400m races in 24.2 and 53.8 respectively.

CLOSE RACE

Thomas edged out Eunice Mukonyo to second in 25.7 in the half-lap race as both qualified.

Mukonyo will also double in 100m where she won in 12.5, beating 2015 Africa Youth 200m silver medallist Damaris Okoth to second in 12.7.

Kevin Kiprotich from Nairobi posted the best time of 46.8 in 400m that was staged in four heats. Ronald Afya (Nyanza South) came in second in 47.1 to seal the last place for Dar es Salaam.

Josphine Chelangat (South Rift) ruled in the women’s 800m in 2:08.1, beating Iveen Chepkemoi to second in 2:10.6 as Peter Kiptum won men’s two-lap race in 1:49.4, beating Mbithi Mutua by 0.6 seconds.