Kiyeng upsets Chepkoech in Berlin Continental Tour meet

The 2015 world 3000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng ran a brilliant race to upset world record holder over the distance Beatrice Chepkoech en route to winning the steeplechase event at the ISTAF Berlin- a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting held Sunday at the German capital.

The pair were held in a neck and neck duel until they entered the homestretch where a strong finish from Kiyeng saw her cross the finish line first in 9:06.14 ahead of Chepkoech who came home second in 9:10.07 while Marusa Mismas of Slovenia finished third in 9:20.68.

It was the first competitive race for Kiyeng since competing at the 2019 World Championships in Doha while Chepkoech was making another appearance since competing at the Monaco Diamond League last month albeit in 5000m where she placed sixth.

“Due to the corona virus I was stuck in Kenya and kept training. This was my first competition this year and I am grateful for this. If there are opportunities for other races I will compete,” said Kiyeng.

Mercy Chepkurui- another Kenyan in the race finished ninth in 9:45.70