Chebet, Ndiwa makes Commonwealth team, Aprot out

Sandrafelis Chebet and Stacy Ndiwa conquered a tough test in the Women 10,000m trials for the Commonwealth Games on Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with celebrated World Cross silver medalist Alice Aprot failing to live up the expectations.

Chebet crossed the finish line at 32.41.2, with Ndiwa closely chasing to stop the clock in 32.41.6 while Beatrice Mutai clocked 32.44.7, to close the bracket for Gold Coast bound list for the distance.

The start-list promised a tough encounter with the likes of Aprot, Chebet, Perine Nengampi and Ndiwa among the highly billed competitors.

As the race unfolded, Emily Chebet was the first to withdraw followed by Aprot to the surprise of many, given she was in the leading park on the earlier stages.

With 10 laps the battle promised to get even harder as the pack of five athletes remained tight with Chebet,  Ndiwa and Nengampa exchanging leads in successions.

With two laps to go,  the battle reduced to a four-athlete affair, with the rest of 110 competitors falling away.

The last lap remained a tight encounter between Sandra and Ndiwa from the 300m mark and it was the former who eventually ruled the homestretch dash to seal the victory.

Chebet, who is graduating to the senior competition revenged against Ndiwa who beat her last week in the trials for the cross country and will now represent Kenya in her maiden competition, alongside the latter and  Mutai.

Chebet says she is elated to make it to team Kenya stating she will train hard ahead of the ‘tough challenge’ in Australia.

“The race was good especially considering I was up against a strong side including Aprot and Ndiwa,  now that I have qualified, I will be embarking on my training so that I can earn Kenya a medal,” said Chebet

Chebet also revealed that she will be making decisions on the two major competitions that she has already qualified for, having earned herself a place for the Africa Cross-country championships due on March 17 in Chief, Algeria.

“I will have to consult with my coach and other stakeholders so that I can make a sound decision on that, for my interest and countries’ too” added Chebet.

More action continues in the afternoon session, with the Men’s 10,000m also expected to draw an exciting competition.

1.Sandrafelis Chebet 32.41.2

2.Stacy Ndiwa 32.41.6

3.Beatrice Mutai 32.44.7

4.Perine Nengampi 32.48.5

5.Mary Munani 33.08.08