Former Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Abel Mutai returned back to winning ways after clinching the title in his specialty as the Kenya Defence Forces Athletics championships ended at the Nyayo Stadium yesterday.
Mutai, who has played second fiddle to Olympic champion Conselus Kipruto and World champion Ezekiel Kemboi in the past four years showed glimpses of his past form with a superb display, posting a winning time of 8:25.9. Benjamin Kigen was second in 8:26.6 with Venus Kipleting the bronze medallist in 8:30.10
Felix Kiprong started the race well by surging to the front in the first lap with the runners falling into a single file.
By the third lap, Hillary Kemboi was on his shoulder with Kipleting third and Mutai at fourth. Kigen shifted a gear up and went to the front of the queue by the fifth lap with Mutai in hot pursuit and Kiprong in third place.
The three athletes kept tabs on each other for the next two laps but at the bell, Mutai and Kipleting pulled away with Kiprong dropping off. Mutai and Kigen were neck in the final 200m but Mutai showed greater experience to pull away in the final 50m.
“I am delighted with the win and now I can concentrate on improving my speed work and endurance for the national championships next month and hopefully get a ticket to represent Kenya at the World championships in London,” said Mutai.
World half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei stamped her authority in the women’s 10,000m final by posting 32:26.3. Jepkosgei, who finished third in the 5000m on Tuesday showed no ill effects from the grueling two day turnaround to carry the day. Sheila Chepkirui was second after registering 32:35.0 with
former world youth 3000m champion Veronica Nyaruai placed third in 32:51.0 with Penninah Kandie fourth in 33:15.3
Relatively unknown Cyrus Rutto clinched the 5000m by clocking 13:32.8 ahead of Peter Ndegwa (13:34.8) and Douglas Kipserem (13:35.5). Peter Muindi who bagged the 10,000m crown on Tuesday came home a credible fourth in 13:36.5
Charles Simotwo was the surprise winner in the men’s 1500m in a time of 3:37.5 with Collins Koros second in 3:38.2 as Eric Tanui clocked 3:38.4 for third.
Judith Kiyeng ran a superb race as she romped home in 4:13.3 to take the women’s 1500m title with Winnie Chebet second in 4:13.5.
Sera Jepleting was third in 4:15.8 with Caroline Chepkemei fourth in 4:20.8.
Olympic 400m hurdles silver medalist Boniface Mucheru reigned supreme by clocking 51.2 to win his specialty ahead of Willis Mbevi (51.5) and Edward Ngunjiri (52.6).