Jepkosgei sets sights on London after KDF triumph

World Half Marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei quickly shifted her attention to the forthcoming National Trials after clinching the women’s 10000m title on Thursday as the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) championships drew to a close.

Jepkosgei who became the first woman to break 65 minutes at the Prague Half Marathon last month ran a winning 32:26.3 that will certainly boost her confidence when she lines up for a chance to represent the country at the August World Championships in London.

Africa Cross silver medallist Sheila Chepkirui  clocked 32:35.0 for a second place finish followed by former world junior champion Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru (32:51.0) who had also doubled up.

The trio were doubling up after running in the 5000m race when the championships – now its 38th edition -kicked off on Tuesday.

Rio Olympiacs silver medalist  Hellen Obiri and Boniface Mucheru also graced the three-day competition that witnessed multiple records shattered.

Nanyuki-based sprinter Maurice Wasike delivered an astonishing performance in the men’s 100m event when he ran 9.9 seconds to erase Mike Mokamba’s national record of 10.23 seconds set two years ago at the Kasarani Stadium.

Jepkosgei’s winning time in the 10000m also saw the fall of the previous KDF record of 32:51.26 held by J Ngotho since 1990.

It set her record-breaking run rolling with the 24-year-old having broken three other world records in Prague. On her way to winning at the Czech capital, Jepkosgei set shattered records for 10K, 15K and 20K.

On day one, Obiri cruised to victory in the women’s 5,000m race that had attracted a rich field.She took the top honors in  15:43.2 ahead of Nyaruai (15:51.6). Jepkosgei completed the podium finish in 15:54.6 while Chepkirui’s 16:04.9 placed her fourth.

Mucheru continued his dominance over the distance to take the 400m hurdles for the sixth time.

He stopped the timer at 51.2 as Willy Mbevi, his closest challenger, settled for second place in 51.5. Edward Ngunjiri tried to keep up with the duo but stopped the timer at 52.6 for third place.

Athletics lovers will also be looking forward to the Kenya Prisons Services Athletics Championships which will hosted at the Nyayo National stadium. The two day event will start on Friday and end on Saturday.

1. Maurice Wasike 9.9

2. Emmanuel Lentukonye 10

3. Charles Wamwea 10.2

4. Gilbert Osure 10.3

5. Tony Chirchir 10.6

 Women 

1. Mary Tanui 12.0

2. Roselyne Indimuli 12.1

3. Sabina Mukoswa 12.2

4. Priscilla Tabuda 12. 4

5. Anastasia Kanini 12.6

1. Alphas Kishoyan w0.3

2. Emmanuel Lentukonye 20.5

3. Gilbert Osure 20.7

4. Maurice Wasike 20.9

5. Charles Wamwea 21.1

1. Sabina Mukoswa 24.4

2.Mary Tanui 24.6

3. Catherine Nandi 25.0

4 . Patricia Isichi 25.2

5. Roselyne Indimuli 25.4

1. Alphas Kishoyan 45.7

2. Boniface Mweresa 46.2

3. Said Rutto 46.6

4. Joseph Poghisio 46.6

5. Jonathan Kibet 47.2

1. Miriam Jepkemoi 55.0

2. Sabina Mukoswa 55.4

3. Daisy Komen 55.8

4. Gladys Jepchumba 56.1

5. Catherine Nandi 56.4

1. Nicholas Kiplagat 1:44.9

2. Matthew Rono 1:45.1

3. Edwin Kemboi 1:45.2

4. Bernard Kipyegon 1:45.4

5. Moses Kipkemboi 1:45.7

1. Selah Jepleting 2:02.2

2. Winnie Chebet 2:02.4

3. Judith Kiyeng 2:03.1

4. Regina Murugi 2:06.6

5 . Glady Chepchumba 2:10.4

1. Charles Simotwo 3:37 5

2. Collins Koros 3:38.2

3. Erick Kiptanui 3:38.2

4. Vincent Letting 3:39.5

5. Evans Kipchumba 3:40.6

1. Cyrus Rutto 13:32.8

2. Peter Ndegwa 13:34.8

3. Douglas Kipserem 13:35.5

4. Peter Muindi 13:36.5

5. Frankline Ng’elel 13:38.7

1. Hellen Obiri 15:43.2

2. Veronica Wanjiru 15:51.6

3. Joycline Jepkosgei 15:54.6

4. Sheila Chepkirui 16:04.9

5. Peninah Kandie 16:13.8

1. Peter Muindi 29:20.7

2. Leonard Oloitiptip 29:28.4

3. Kiplimo Kimutai 29:45.8

4. Geoffrey Kirui 30:06.4

5. Stephen Arita 30:11.2

1. Jepkosgei 32:26.3

2. Sheila Chepkirui 32:35.0

3. Veronica Nyaruai 32:51.0

4. Peninah Kandie 33:15.3

5. Leonidah Mosop 34:19.3

1. Boniface Mucheru 51.2

2. Willy Mbevi 51.5

3. Edward Ngunjiri 52.6

4. Conesmas Meli 56.3

1. Jerioth Wanjiku 61.2

2. Priscilla Tabuda 61.5

3. Nancy Sang 62.2

4. Hellen Matelong 62.6

5. Tabitha Mwihaki 63.8

1. Marion Kibor 9:56.4

2.  Mercy Wanjiru 10:07.0

3. Elizabeth Mueni 10:23.3

4. Joylene Chemutai 10:30.0

5. Mercy Kiptoo 10:33.5