Vivian Cheruiyot, Obiri, Cherono qualify for 5000m final

Hellen Onsando Obiri won heat 1 of the women’s 5000m on Tuesday, clocking 15:18.38 to qualify for the finals of the event beating Turkey’s Yasemin Can (15:19.50) and compatriot Mercy Cherono (15.19.56) who finished second and third respectively.

In heat 2, Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot finished third behind Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi (15:17.43) and Olympic 10000 women’s champion Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia who completely dominated the race to win at (15.04.36).

Front runner Miyuki Uehara of Japan who thrilled the crowd zooming to the front was closely hunted down by Obiri and her pack before she finally ran out of steam, dropping to fourth.

Kenya has already claimed five medals at the Rio Olympics, two gold and three silver.

SELECTED RESULTS

HEAT 1

1. Hellen Onsando Obiri (Kenya) 15:19.38 Q
2. Yasemin Can (Turkey) 15:19.50 Q
3. Mercy Cherono (Kenya) 15:19.56 Q
4. Shelby Houlihan (U.S.) 15:19.76 Q
5. Susan Kuijken (Netherlands) 15:19.96 Q

Heat 2

1. Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia) 15 minutes 4.35 seconds Q
2. Senbere Teferi (Ethiopia) 15:17.43 Q
3. Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot (Kenya) 15:17.74 Q
4. Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal (Norway) 15:17.83 Q
5. Eilish McColgan (Britain) 15:18.20 Q

QUALIFIED FOR NEXT ROUND

1. Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia) 15 minutes 4.35 seconds
2. Senbere Teferi (Ethiopia) 15:17.43
3. Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot (Kenya) 15:17.74
4. Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal (Norway) 15:17.83
5. Eilish McColgan (Britain) 15:18.20
6. Eloise Wellings (Australia) 15:19.02
7. Hellen Onsando Obiri (Kenya) 15:19.38
8. Yasemin Can (Turkey) 15:19.50
9. Mercy Cherono (Kenya) 15:19.56
10. Shelby Houlihan (U.S.) 15:19.76
11. Susan Kuijken (Netherlands) 15:19.96
12. Genevieve LaCaze (Australia) 15:20.45
13. Madeline Hills (Australia) 15:21.33
14. Miyuki Uehara (Japan) 15:23.41
15. Ababel Yeshaneh Birhane (Ethiopia) 15:24.38