Kenyans stumble as Farah wins home finale

African Games bronze medallist Winny Chebet had a motivational performance at the Birmingham Diamond League as fatigue took a toll on Olympics silver medallist and freshly minted World champion Hellen Obiri on Sunday.

At the meet that saw British distance running icon Mo Farah run and win his final track race on home soil, Obiri could only manage fourth place in the women’s 3000m as Ethiopian Dutch runner Hassan Sifan won a in a Dutch record 8:28.90.

Chebet who finished 15th at the recently concluded IAAF World Championships in London came home second in 4:02.24 behind Ethiopian Dawit Seyaum.

Seyaum cut across the finish line with a time of 4:01.36 followed closely by Rabebe Arafi of Morocco who stopped the timer at 4:02.95 for second place.

Hassan took top podium place in 8:28.90 as German Konstanze Klosterhalfen chased her for. Klosterhalfen clocked 8:29.89 for the first runners up position as  All-African Games Champion Magaret Chelimo settled for the second runners up position in 8:30.11.

Reinging and former IAAF World Cross Country champions Lilian Kasait (8:33.79. Agnes Tirop (8:35.23) finished sixth and eighth respectively.

Obiri took charge of the race with about four laps to go but Hassan was watching her closely as Chelimo, Kasait and Tirop stayed tacked in the chasing pack.

Obiri dominated the highly competitive race with no one challenging her for the front. At the homestrech, Hassan sneaked past her to gather eight points.

In the two lap event, Beijing Olympic and three time World Champion Asbel Kiprop finished seventh in 1:46.05.

Amos Nigel of Bostwana redeemed himself after falling out of the medal bracket in the recently concluded IAAF World Championships in London. Nigel finished first in 1:44.50 followed by Adam Kszczot ( 1:45.28)of Poland as his compatriot Marcin Lewandoski set a season best (SB) of 1:45.33.

In the non Diamond League race former World Youth Championships silver medalist Davis Kiplangat had a motivating performance in the men’s 3000m event.

Kiplangat finished third in 7:40.63 after a disappointing outing in London last week.

Home favourite four time Olympic and six times World champion, Farah took the race honours in 7:38.64 while Adel Mechaal (7:40.34) of Spain took second place.

More Kenyan athletes will back in action this Thursday during the Zurich Diamond League. Their key mission will be to gather as many points as possible to earn an invite to the final leg in Burssles, Belgium on September 1.