Jepkosgei, Cheruiyot star as KDF Games kick off

World Half marathon record holder Jocyline Jepkosgei won the women’s 5000m as the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) championship kicked off on Tuesday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Jepkosgei clocked 15:19.3 ahead of Dorcas Kimeli of Moi Airbase (MAB) who clocked 15.23.4 while Sheila Chepkirui of Thika (TKA) came in third in 15:38.0.

The 25 year old says she is eyeing a ticket to the World Championships to be held later this year in Doha, Qatar.

“It was a tough race especially from my opponents who were as well prepared for the race. I now shift my focus to the trials with my main target is to make it to the national team,” said Jepkosgei.

Elsewhere, the 2013 World Under-18 3000m silver medalist Vedic Cheruiyot of Mtongwe clocked 28:17.04 to retain his 10,000m title.

Alex Oloitiptip finished in the second spot in 28:19.0 while Alfred Barkach took the second runner up position in 20:20.06.

Eric Kiptanui (28:24.08), Kibiwott Kandie (28:45.07), and Abel Mutai (28:49.06) finished from fourth to sixth positions respectively.

Patrick Langat clocked 3:44.8 to clinch victory in the men’s 1500m first semi final followed by Nicholas Kiplangat (3:45.6) and James Magut who finished third in 3:45.8.

In another semi final, Evans Kipchumba of Embakasi win the race in 3:45.01 ahead of Charles Simotwa (3:45.04) and John Muiruri (3:46.0) who came in second and third respectively.

The three-day event which will enter its second day on Wednesday is being used by the military to select a team for the national championships cum trials for the World Championships.

The championship was earlier earmarked to kick off Thursday however it was rescheduled due to this year’s WRC Safari Rally set to be flagged off by the president on Friday on the same venue.