Rono, Cherotich shine at AK meet

Africa Junior 3000m bronze medallist Gideon Rono stunned Commonwealth Games 10000m bronze medallist Rodgers Kwemoi to win the men’s 5000m race as the Athletics Kenya Track and Field meet came to an end on Sunday at the Nyayo Stadium.

Rono overcame a powerful late sprint mounted by Kwemoi to win the race in 13:21.2 as Kwemoi settled for the second spot in 13:21.8. Daniel Simiu (13:29.6) and Michael Kibet (13:36.6) placed third and fourth respectively.

Fresh from winning the 8km junior race at the national cross country championships a fortnight ago, Rono said he is now switching his focus to the World Under-20 Championships and the Olympics.

“I knew I was facing strong athletes in the likes of Kwemoi, Simiu and Kibet but I was not afraid to compete against them. I am planning to compete in the remaining meetings so that I can prepare adequately for the World Under-20 and Olympics,” said the form four Student at Sinoni Secondary School in Baringo County.

Daisy Cherotich claimed the women’s 10000m race when she crossed the finish line in 32:19.1 ahead of Everlyn Chirchir (32:37.9) and Joyce Chepkemoi who came home third in 32:58.8

Cherotich who placed second at the national cross country said she was not expecting the race owing to the stiff competition from her compatriots.

“I knew my opponents who I had also competed against at the cross country. It was not easy especially with the scorching sun. I am now eyeing to make the team for the Olympics,” said Cherotich who also won the Discovery Kenya Cross Country.

National 400m record holder Hellen Syombua extended her dominance over the distance when she timed 55.17 ahead of Janet Jepkoech who clocked 57.95 as Mercy Jerop placed third in 59.36.

“I think I am now picking up and I expect to keep improving in the next meetings. My target is to compete in Olympics,” she said.

Youngster Zablon Ekwam won the corresponding men’s race in 45.65 edging out William Raiyan to the second place in 46.13 while Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal was third in 46.55

Torongo-based Lydia Jeruto ran the rule in the women’s 1500m winning the race in 4:15.2

Ferdinand Omanyala continued with his fine form winning the men’s 100m in 10.29 ahead of Moffat Wanjiru (10.60) and Hesbon Ochieng (10.64)

After the two-day meet, athletes will now shift their focus to the second series slated for March 12-13 in Embu before the third and final meeting is planned for Mumias in April 2-3.

Selected results

10,000m women
1. Daisy Cherotich 32:19.1
2 Everlyn Chirchir 32:37.9
3 Joyce Chepkemoi 32:58.8
4 Gladys Koech 34:17.3

5000m men
1 Gideon Rono 13:21.2
2 Rodgers Kwemoi 13:21.8
3 Daniel Simiu 13:29.6
4 Michael Kibet 13:36.6

1500m women
1 Lydia Jeruto 4:15.2
2 Vivian Kosgei 4:15.7
3 Esther Wambui 4:16.0
4 Loice Chemining 4:16.2

400m women
1 Hellen Syombua 55.17
2 Janet Jepkoech 57.95
3 Mercy Jerop 59.36
4 Faith Moraa 59.30

400m men
1 Zablon Ekwam 45:65
2 William Raiyan 46.13
3 Wycliffe Kinyamal 46.55

100m men
1 Ferdinand Omanyala10.29
2 Moffat Wanjiru 10.60
3 Hesbon Ochieng 10.64