Kenya: Chepkemei, Ndereba Dethroned

Chris Musumba

18 June 2011

Nairobi — Commonwealth 1,500 metres champion Silas Kiplagat faced no challenge in his title defence as the curtains came down on the Kenya Prisons Athletics Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium, on Saturday.

However, it was not the same for four times Boston marathon champion, Catherine Ndereba, New York marathon silver medallist Susan Chepkemei and Salina Kosgei, all who were trounced by upstart Pauline Wangui in the 10,000m race.

Kiplagat, who is seeking to make Kenya team to the World Championships, dominated the 1,500m from gun to tape to win in 3:39.2, beating his closest rival Fredrick Musyoki of Rift Valley (3:40.0), while Dominic Mutuku settled for third spot in 3:40.1.

“I was not keen to run a faster time here. I know many people were expecting me to do so, but this is not the place. I hope to run one more race abroad, in Paris Diamond League, then I return home for the national trials, which I prioritise,” said Kiplagat.

Opponents singled out

He singled out Nicholas Kemboi, Harun Keitany and Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop as the people that would trigger him to run a fast race, unlike the opposition he had on Saturday.

“During the trials, it will be different. It will require someone who does not relent and who can take on the pace from the gun to the tape and I will be ready for that,” he said.

In the women’s 10,000m race, Wangui, a veteran road racer, took on her challengers and proved that she was a worthy bet as she opened up a 300m gap by the 10th lap and went on to win in 33:19.0 ahead of Alice Mogire of Eastern (33:35.8) while Ruth Kutol was third in 33.43.0.

Ndereba, who maintained her running style of starting slowly before picking up the pace, found the race too short for her liking as she could not recover in time to catch up with the leaders. She settled for fourth place in 34:13.3, beating guest athlete Priscilla Lorchima to fifth in 34:28.6, while Chepkemei was sixth in 34:30.4.

“I know that I was running against veteran road racers. However, I also realised that if I embraced a fast pace in the first half of the race, I would have an advantage because by the time they warmed up, I could have created enough distance in between,’ said Wangui.

Ndereba chases target

However, for Ndereba, who was representing Nairobi Province, it was a step closer to her target to reclaim her peak home as she seeks to return to track competition with a target of making the Kenya team to the world championship.

“This younger athletes are not so strong to deny me a chance. I hope to keep on the pressure and who knows, I may make the team during the trials.

“As I said, I have no idea if I will be running in the 5,000 or 10,000m race, but certainly I’m not after the marathon in Daegu,” she said.The men’s 5,000m race was won by Jonathan Komen of Rift Valley in 13:39.8, with Timothy Kiptoo coming second in 13:44.0 while Thomas Longosiwa was a distant third in 13:55.3, ahead of Jonathan Kosgei (14:06.1) and Bonface Wambua (14:09.1).

Tabitha Wamboi from Western won the women’s 1,500m race in 4:20.4 after thwarting a late charge from Sylvia Chesebe (4:25.3) and Jane Mwikali (4:26.3).

Rose Mbula took 4:33.8 to finish fourth as she edged out Eunice Machogu (4:41.2) and Gladys Asiba (4:47.7).

In the 3,000m steeplechase, guest athlete Nancy Nzisa dominated, clocking 10:37.0 to win and beat a strong challenge from Meceline Ondiek (10:40.7), while Nancy Maiyo was the first wardress to cross the line in third place, taking 10:56.2.

Nancy Kitui (10:38.0), Elizabeth Munyuoki (12:36.7) and Monica Mengich (12:46.0) followed in that order.

Veteran sprinter Elizabeth Muthuka chalked up another win, signalling that we are yet to see her best in the 200m race. Muthuka, running for Prisons Staff Training College, easily won the 200m race but lost out in the one-lap event.

She clocked 56.4 to finish second in the 400m which was won by Maureen Chelegat in 53.5 while Pamela Chueno was third in 58.4.

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