Kangogo and Nziza win Prisons titles

Cornelius Kangogo and Nancy Nziza floored a garlanded opposition in the form of Thomas  Longosiwa and Visiline Jepkesho to claim the men’s 10,000m and women’s 5,000m titles respectively as the Kenya Prisons Service track and field championships kicked off at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.

Kangogo stopped the clock in 28:26.7 ahead of the 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist and training partner Longosiwa, who crossed the finish line in 28:31.9. Josphat Kipchirchir wound up the top three spots in 28:36.7.

In the women 5K, Nziza successfully locked down Jepkesho in the final lap clocking 16:06.9. Jepkesho ran a time of 16:10.8 to settle for second, with Pamela Cherotich coming home in 16:23.6 for third place.

“I had prepared myself for this championships with an aim shaping up for the national trials next month. Last year I missed out on Team Kenya for the Rio Olympics Games because I finished sixth. Though it did not make it, I was not discouraged.

“I’m happy with my performance today because I combined speed and endurance,” Kangogo,  told Citizen Digital.

On his part, Longosiwa was happy with his performance as he looks forward to next months’ IAAF World Athletics national trials.

“I was not feeling well during last year’s Olympics trials in Eldoret. It was a big disappointment that we had no Kenyan athlete at the 5K finals and I hope we learnt our lesson ahead of London championships since some the athletes hid their injuries,” said the former All African Games bronze medalist.

After winning, Nziza offered she will manage a top three finish in order to finally secure a ticket to London, after missing out off the Olympics last year.

“Visiline prefers the 10K event and she was very fast in the first five kilometers. That’s why I decided to stay very close to her as the race went on,” she noted in her post race interview.

Jepkesho opted to compete in the 5,000m instead of her usual 10,000m for speed and to gauge her kick after failing to defend her Paris Marathon title last month.

“I started training two week ago and I was not well prepared for the 10,000m. I felt like I could not finish the race so I opted for the 5K race because I do not like leaving things pending,” Jepkesho said.

Little known Nancy Kimaiyo bagged the 3,000m steeplechase title in 10.01.2 ahead of Winfred Mutile (10.06.4) and Emmaculate Jebet (10.06.6) who took the second and third positions.

Star attractions for final day (Saturday) will include Rio Olympics Games 800m bronze medalist Margaret Nyairera, Olympians Alice Aprot in the 10,000m and Samuel Kathimba in the men’s walking race event.

Day 1 Finals results.

5,000m 

Women

1. Nancy Nzinza (N. Eastern) 16:06.9
2. Visiline Jepkesho (Nyanza) 16:10.8
3. Pamela Cherotich (Nyanza) 16:23.6
4. Naomy Ndolo ( Nyanza) 16:25.8
5. Jane Mwikali (PSTC) 16:38.2

10,000m

Men

1. Cornelius Kangogo ( Nyanza) 28:26.7
2. Thomas Longosiwa (PSTC) 28:31.9
3. Josphat Kipchirchir (Nyanza) 28:36.7
4. Emmanuel Ngatuny (Nyanza) 28:38.5
5. Cosmas Birech (RVP) 28:53.8

3,000m Steeplechase

Women

1. Nancy Kimaiyo 10:01.2
2. Winfred Mutile 10:06.4
3. Emmaculate Jebet 10:06.6
4. Maureen Chepkemoi 10:13.9
5. Marsilne Ondieki 10:25.7