Champs Kemboi, Kiprop light up AK Eldoret meet

Two-time Olympics and four-time world 3000m steeplechase champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, stepped down the distance to win the third heat of the men 1500m on Thursday in the star-studded sixth and final Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field meeting in Eldoret.

The three-day affair at the self-styled capital of distance running at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium was like a roll call of champions, with the hugely popular Kemboi igniting the stadium when he ran 3:47.7 for victory in his heat ahead of Zablon Chumba (3:48.6) and Kenneth Bett (3:52.7).

“I’m preparing to defend my Olympics title in Rio. Today’s race was fine because I was using 1500m to prepare (for speed) since it’s a short race. I have not decided when to start final Olympics preparations,” the Athens 2004 and London 2012 Olympics titleholder said.

On when he would retire from the sport he has dominated for over a decade and a half, the Berlin 2009, Daegu 2011, Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015 world water and barriers titleholder was as witty as ever.

“I will run until the day my body refuses. After the Olympics, I’m still planning to run in the marathon,” he quipped.

Later in the afternoon, London 2012 Olympics and three-time world 1500m champion, Asbel Kiprop also delighted the crowd when he motored to victory in his men 800m heat*.

“I’m happy to make the 800m semi-finals. My target for the season is to win back the Olympics title. It’s too early to think about Rio but I’m trying my best to be in shape,” the 2010 African men 800m champion stated.

Kiprop’s Olympics title defence in London was curtailed by a hamstring injury he sustained on the last day of training before Kenya’s departure for the Games as took the wooden spoon in the final.

Vincent Yator, the 2010 African 5000m silver medallist won the next heat in 3:49 ahead with Timothy Cheruiyot who made the Beijing World Championships last year (3:47.0), Edwin Kiptoo (3:43.3), Gerard Vincent (3:47.6) and Martin Kiptanui (3:47.2) taking the other preliminary races of the populated Metric Mile.

Thomas Longosiwa, the 2008 Beijing Olympics 5000m bronze winner (3:49.4) was third in the heat won by Cheruiyot crossing behind Evans Keitany (3:37.2).

London 2012 and Beijing 2015 men steeplechase silver winner, Conseslus Kipruto on the other hand scaled up to 5000m and won his heat in 13:47.5 ahead of Fredrick Kipkosgei (13:48.2) and Vincent Letting (14:02.7).

Moscow 2013 World Championships fourth finisher in the 1500m and IAAF Diamond League champion the same season, Nixon Chepseba bounced back to some form after two injury-interrupted seasons by winning the rather slow first heat of the competition in 14:29.0 with James Kipsang (14:30.2) and Evans Mayaka (14:40.8).

Emmanuel Kipsang who crashed out in the 12 and a half-lap first round in China last summer winning the third in 13:55.8.

In other events, Mark Otieno (10.5), Gilbert Otieno (10.5) and Ferdinand Omunyala (10.5) won the 100m dash preliminaries

Action continues Friday with other famous athletes such as world champions, Julius Yego (men Javelin) and Nicholas Bett (men 400m Hurdles) as well as the Moscow 2013 women 800m titleholder, Eunice Sum among those expected to feature.

*time was not provided

Report by Mercy Rop