Manangoi, Nyairera ease to victory ahead of Prefontaine Classic

Commonwealth Games medallists Elijah Manangoi and Margaret Nyairera light up the venue with commanding victories as the seventh leg of Athletics Kenya Track and Field meet got off to a classy start on Friday at Thika Stadium murram track.

Police’s Manangoi, the World and Commonwealth Games 1,500m gold medallist, easily won men’s 800m in 1 minute and 49.6 seconds to qualify for the final, just after his abortive run in the 10,000m where he dropped out at the halfway stage.

Robert Korir from Embakasi finished second in 1:51.9 as Henry Indimuli settled for third in 1:53.0.

Nyairera, who is also the 2016 Olympics 800m bronze medallist, dropped out after the first lap in the women’s 800m race but stepped onto the track again to win her 400m semi-finals in 53.2 seconds.

Lydia Jeruto and Veronica Mutua all from Kenya Police Service won their 400m semi-finals.

The national 400m record holder Maximilla Imali, who reached the final of the 400m at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and Millicent Ndoro were untouchable in their 100m races to storm the finals.

“This Thika meet was crucial for my endurance and speed ahead of the Bowerman Mile race next week,” said Manangoi, who is targeting to improve on his one mile personal best with times of 3:47 or 3:48 during the Prefontaine Classic next Saturday in Eugene, USA.

Manangoi's personal best time over the distance is 3:49.08.

It’s Benard Kipyegon from Nanyuki who posted the fastest semi-final time, winning his race in 1:47.6.

Kenya Wildlife Services’ Collins Kipruto won his semis in 1:49.5, beating World Junior 1,500m champion Kumari Taki of Rongai in 1:49.9.

Evans Biwott (Complete), Gedion Kiplimo (Individual) and Matthew Rono (Kenya Defence Forces-KDF) also won their semis in 1:51.5, 1:50.6 and 1:50.0 respectively.

Nyairera of Prisons tore the field with ease to triumph. Hellen Syombua of Police was second in 54.1 as Evangeline Kathenya sealed the third spot in 54.5.

“It gives me good momentum ahead of my race at Prefontaine Classic,” said Nyairera, who is set to face-off with World and Olympic champion Caster Semenya from South Africa for the first time since Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Eugene.

Mutua won her semis in 54.9, beating her Police compatriot Gladys Musyoki in 55.3 while Jeruto clocked 56.4 to win her race with Cherono timing 54.6 in the other semi.

Jeruto went on to post the fastest time of 2:05.4 in 800m to reach the final alongside Josephine Chelangat, who claimed the other semi-final in 2:06.4.

Imali clocked the fastest time of 11.8 while Ndoro timed 12.0 to storm the semi-finals of the 100m race. Also to reach the semi-finals were the national 200m record holder Eunice Kadogo (Police) 12.0, Nancy Miragi (Isiolo) 13.4, Monica Safari (Police) 12.9 and Diana Chebet (Police) 12.4.

William Mbevi (LAB)) and Jane Chege (Navy) clocked 52.2 and 62.9 to win men and women’s 400m hurdles titles as Nelly Chebet turned on the style to reign in women’s 5,000m, clocking 16:30.0.

Josephine Chelagat won the women’s 1,500m final in 4:16.1with Vedic Cheruiyot timing 30:18.8 to win men’s 10,000m final.