• “From my performance today, I expect nothing else but the top spot at the national championships (in June),” he added.
• Viciline Jepkesho ran a controlled race to win the women’s 10,000m title in 34:02.08.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
Samuel Gathimba targets the national walk race title after a dominant display to win the Kenya Prisons Service 5,000m walk at Ulinzi Complex.
Gathimba timed 20:00.7 followed by Rift Valley’s Nehemiah Kiprono (21:59.8) and Eastern’s Shadrack Mwanzia (23:00.0).
“From my performance today, I expect nothing else but the top spot at the national championships (in June),” he added.
Gathimba was confident of a superb display after tough training in the build-up.
“I was well prepared coming into this race. I expected nothing but a win today,” Gathimba stated.
Last year, Gathimba clocked 40:27.6 to secure the men’s 10,000m walk race title at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Stephen Ndangiri (42:19.7) and Mwanzia (45:11.8) finished second and third respectively.
Viciline Jepkesho ran a controlled race to win the women’s 10,000m title in 34:02.08.
Millicent Nyambaria placed second in 34:33.58 with Sheila Chepkurui settling for third in 35:32.03.
Jepkesho was pleased with her performance, especially after entering the weekend event without proper training.
“I enjoyed today’s race. It’s been a while since I won a race though I wasn’t well prepared. I just got a call up from the department to feature. I am glad to run a controlled race,” Jepkesho stated.
Last year, Jepkesho placed second (33:32.1) behind 2019 world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich (32:52.7).
Lilian Odira clinched the women’s 800m title in 2:03.03. Naomi Korir was second (2:04.08) and Lilian Kasait (2:05.20) sealing the podium places.
“Today’s race was fair. I knew I would win. The preparations I had done gave me confidence of clinching the title,” she said.
Odira also clinched the women’s 400m in 53.55, followed by Sylvia Chesebe (53.97) with Mercy Hadija clocking 56.52 for third.
“I am not a 400m runner but I am glad with my performance. I didn’t have enough recovery time for the 800m but I got the win as well,” Odira noted.
There was a new winner in the men’s 800m with
Kidali Koitatoi won the 800m title in 1:49.6 as 2020 Olympic silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot timed 1:49.8 for second. Last year’s runner-up, Alfred Kipketer, clocked 1:51.2 for third.
Esther Mbagari continued her dominance with a sprint double. She won the 100m race in 11.73. Nevian Michira (12.61) and Edna Nyaboke (12.62) completed the podium.
Mbagari added the 200m title in 23.68. Maureen Wafula (25.51) and Michira (25.88) placed second and third respectively.
Joice Jibiwot clinched the 3,000m steeplechase title in 10:02.01. Caren Chebet placed second in 10:25.84 with Fancy Cherono third in 10:32.46.
Edwin Too added the high jump title to his 110m hurdles gong after clearing 2m.
Kelvin Maina and Dominic Kibitok finished second and third with identical 1.75m jumps.
Eastern’s Maurine Wafula cleared 5.53m to retain the long jump title. Regina Mulatya (5.43m) and Nyaboke (5.25m) were second and third respectively.
David Darstau retained the javelin title with a 56.64m throw. Jones Kitur (51.81m) and James Nzangia (51.39m) sealed the podium places.