Cornelius Kangogo cruised to victory by winning the men’s 10,000m at the Kenya Prisons Athletics championships at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.
Kangogo clocked 28:26.7 with former Olympic bronze medallist Thomas Longosiwa coming home second in 28:31.9 with Josephat Kipchirchir clocking 28:36.7 for third. Emmanuel Ngatuny was fourth in 28:38.5 ahead of Cosmas Birech in 28:53.8
The race started in cold conditions but soon the afternoon sun came out, scorching the track. Timothy Kemei surged to the front in the second lap with Leonard Langat closely behind alongside Peter Emase.
The trio at the front could not be separated and the chasing pack of Kangogo and Longosiwa kept tabs until the ninth lap when Longosiwa took the lead with Kangongo closely behind as thy approached the halfway mark. Kipchirchir was next on the queue as he moved to the front at the start of the 13th lap with the Kangogo and Longosiwa trading second and third places.
The early leaders Kemei and Emase dropped off by the 16th lap leaving Kangongo, Longosiwa and Kipchirchir to battle for the prize in the final 10 laps. The three athletes were closely matched for the next six laps with none falling off.
At the bell, Longosiwa made his move but Kangongo caught up with 200m to go and powered past him coming to the home straight to win the race.
Kangongo said he has work to do as he sets his eyes on a slot in the in Team Kenya to the London World Championships in August.
“It
was a tough race. I knew Longosiwa was strong so I timed my race to perfection and knew I had a very good kick in the last lap,” said Kangongo.
In other results, Vincent Kosgei won his heat in the 400m hurdles in a time of 52.9 with Haroun Tonui second in 53.3 with Eric Kiptoo third in 53.9
Stephen Tenai took the second heat in 52.6 with Geoffrey Mutai second after posting 53.0 with Stephen Rotich third in 53.2.
In the womens 100m heats, Edna Ogendi won the first heat by posting 12.3 with Elizabeth Nekesa second with 12.7.
Verah Rorey was third in 13.0 ahead of Sheila Biwott in 14.1.
Marisela Nyaboke topped the second heat by clocking 12.4 with Silantoi Nice (13.1), Rael Wamira (13.1), Pauline Kiptoo (13.4) and Mercy Atieno (13.8) completing the top six positions.
Damaris Akoth clinched the third heat by posting 12.2. Lavenda Amunavi came home second in 12.6 with Valerie Galawi third in 12.8 followed by Rosebella Ayodi in 12.9.