World youth 3000m silver medallist Emily Chebet clocked 16:12.30 to win the women’s 5,000m race yesterday at the Nairobi County athletic Championships at Nyayo Stadium.
Jedidah Wanjiru was second in 16:17.06 while Immaculate Chebet finished third in 16:42.0. Purity Wambui placed fourth in 17:11.08 in the n rain-soaked conditions.
Moses Koech cruised to victory in the men’s 5,000 metres after running a tactful race to post a sluggish time of 13:53.6. Dickson Nyakundi was a distant second in 14:14.0 while Anthony Maina came home third in 14:24.05. Joseph Ereng closed the top four positions in 14:33.3.
Stephen Kaloki made the early running in the wet conditions with intermittent rain making the track slippery for athletes in the opening laps as Gilbert Cheruto hanged on his tail after the first four laps.
Nyakundi then surged to the front at the start of the fifth lap with the early pacesetters Kaloki and Cheruto falling behind.
Koech then seized the lead in the seventh lap and opened a sizeable gap over his rivals as he cruised to victory to bag a ticket to next week national championships at the Kasarani Stadium.
“ I know the nationals will not be easy but I will do my best. I am aware the national event has attracted some of the best runners in the country but I am ready for them,” added Koech.
Everlyne Makena clinched the women’s 400m after posting 57.6 with Judith Mayaka coming home second in 61.7, Eunice Ndunga completed the podium in 63.3, Mary Kipkemoi (64.4) and Natanle Napure (67.4) placed fourth and fifth respectively.