Kenyan runners posted mixed performances in the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday.
Former Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, Jairus Birech was placed second in his speciality after clocking 8:10.91. Home favourite Soufiane Elbakkali won the race in 8:05.12 while Amos Kirui (8:12.18) was third. Abraham Kibiwott (8:16.25) completed the top four places.
Another Kenyan Lawrence Kemboi was tenth in 8:32.27 while Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto failed to start the race. World junior 800m champion Kipyegon Bett was second in the two-lap race in 1:44.28, behind former Olympic silver medallist, Nigel Amos, who ran 1:43.91. This was the second win for Amos, who is currently preparing for the World Championships. Donovan Brazier of the United States clocked 1:44.62 to place third while Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich (1:45.26), Nicholas Kiplangat (1:45.37) and Robert Biwott (1:45.75) placed fourth, sixth and seventh respectively.
The men’s 1,500m was a Moroccan affair as they swept the top three positions. Brahim Akachab took the honours in 3:35.03 while Fouad Elkaam (3:36.26) and Younes Esslahi (3:36.90) were second and third respectively. The top Kenyan in the event Vincent Letting finished a disappointing fourth in 3:37.96 while former World Under 20 champion Kumari Taki placed fifth in 3:39.52. Franklin Ngelel was the highest placed Kenyan in men’s 3,000m in position eight after clocking 7:42.56. Edwin Soi was ninth in 7:43.20 with Collins Cheboi tenth in 7:45.13.
Bethwell Birgen finished 11th in 7:47.28 while Vincent Kibet was 12th in 7:50.54. The race was won by crowd favourite Abdalati Iguider in 7:37.82 as Spainiard Adel Mechaal (7:38.35) and Morocco’s Soufiyan Bouqantar (7:38.65) took the second and third positions respectively.
Kenyans also played second fiddle in the women’s 1,500m as Nelly Jepkosgei (4:04.93) and Judy Kiyeng (4:05.20) were relegated to the eighth and ninth positions respectively.
The race was won by Angelica Cichocka of Poland in 4:01.93 with Rababe Arafi of Morocco second in 4:02.19. Brenda Martinez of the United States placed third in 4:02.75.
Norah Jeruto settled for second place in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, posting 9:20.51, behind Germany’s Gesa Krause, who clocked 9:18.87. Another Kenyan Rosefline Chepng’etich was third in 9:20.69 with Purity Kirui coming home fifth in 9:25.55. Caroline Tuigong placed seventh in 9:39.00 as Ann Gathoni 10th in 10:02.4.