Newly-crowned London Marathon champion Jemima Sumgong will this morning show her fans what she is made of when she parades in 10,000m final at the Kenya Defence Forces Championships at the Moi Kasarani.
Sumgong of Moi Airbase will run alongside defending champion Veronica Nyaruai, who is a former world junior winner, from Laikipia Airbase and 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gladys Chemweno of Thika, who won bronze last year. Sumgong’s teammate Peninah Arusei, the Africa cross country champion and Thika’s Sheila Chepkurui, the 5000m bronze holder, will also be in the fray.
Sumgong was elated with a chance to run at home following her success in London and she is crossing her fingers to make the Team Kenya to the 2016 Rio Olympics in August. “My chances in the team to Rio remains high since they (Athletics Kenya) had said the top three from London will be considered,” said Sumgong, still spotting a bandaged head following her big fall in London Marathon on Sunday.
“However, competition on the ladies side is very tight since most of them have hit best times in recent races. We are just going to wait and see what criteria AK uses in the selection.”
She said her fall on Sunday never disoriented her. “I knew this was just one of the many challenges that I had prepared myself for,” said the Kenya Air Force runner. “Luckily, the pace remained constant after we fell and I was therefore able to catch up with the rest.”
Emmanuel Kipsang, who successfully retained his 10,000m title on Wednesday, will be seeking to make it a double, again when he parades in the shorter distance.
“I will be out to defend my title. I know it will be tough since I will be facing fresh athletes but I am prepared for it,” he observed. Kipsang faces familiar faces in the likes of Leonard Oloitiptip, Mark Kiptoo, Kiplimo Kimutai, John Chepkwony, Geoffrey Kirui, and Wilson Too.
All Africa Games walk champion Grace Wanjiru of Moi Airbase retained her 20km walk title this morning in a time of 1:38:06 ahead of Kahawa’s Lindah Waweru (1:46:18) as Esther Murugi of Mtongwe bagged bronze in 1:50:28.
Simon Wachira of Gilgil won the men’s version in 1:26:50, followed by Lanet’s Samson Misangu (1:32:44) and Nanyuki’s John Gitau (1:33:15).