Sandra Chepchumba and Emmanuel Someki began the Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSSA) track and field games on a high, winning their respective events at the William Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok County.
Chepchumba from Kapchelangoi Primary School in Nandi county and Someki of Dr Masidet won the 2,000m steeplechase and 3,000m titles respectively.
Chepchumba, representing Rift Valley, won the water and barriers race in 6:56.03 ahead of compatriot Rehema Chepkurui from Kalot Primary (7:11.93) and Western’s Vanessa Chebet from Kaboriot Primary (7:40.81).
“The win is a fruit of the hard work I have had in training under my teachers and coaches. I want to run up to the top,” said the 14-year-old Chepchumba.
Someki from Rift Valley, who battled to victory against compatriot Dominic Kiplimo and Western’s Mathew Kibet won the title in 8:25.
Kiplimo, from Maromu, was second in 8:34 before Kostoi’s Kibet completed the podium in 9:00.
KPSSSA chairman Ben Achieng said they are set to partner with Athletics Kenya to promote junior athletes' careers across the country.
Achieng said that they want to have clear records of the junior athletes for future reference in regard to international assignments.
“We are going to have clear records and hand them to the federation as part of talent identification. We shall capture all their records which will help the federation to easily monitor them at a young stage,” said Achieng.
Selected Day One results
2,000m steeplechase girls
Sandra Chepchumba (Rift Valley) 6:56.03
Rehema Chekurui (Rift Valley) 7:11.93
Venessa Chebet (Western) 7:40.81
3,000m boys
Emmanuel Somkei (Rift Valley) 8:25
Dominic Kiplimo (Rift Valley) 8:34
Mathew Kibet (Western) 9:00
5,000m girls
Caren Chepng’eno (Rift Valley) 16:55.8
Faith Chepkirui (Rift Valley) 17:12.0
Praise Chelang’at (Western) 17:14.2
Triple jump boys
Rodgers Cherotich (Rift valley) 12.74m
Ezra Kosgei (Rift Valley) 12.54m
James Kairie (Coast) 12.25
5,000m walk girls
Damaris Chepkoech (Rift valley) 26:40.85
Gladys Wairimu (Central) 26:40.25
Faith Muthoni (Rift Valley) 26:41.40
Day two program
8:30 am 5,000m race walk boys final
9:00 am 400m girls' final
8:45 am Pole vault, triple jump boys and girls final
9:15 am 400m H boys' final
9:25 am 100m girls' final
9:35 am 100m boys' final
9:45 am 5,000m boys' final
10:05 am 400m girls' final
10:15 am 400m boys' final
10:25 3,000m girls' final
10:45 am 100m H girls' final
11:05 am 110m H boys' final
11:20 am 800m girls' final
11:35 am 800m boys' final
11:50 am 200m girls' final
12:00pm 200m boys' final
12:15 pm 4x100m teachers relay final
12:30 pm 1,500m girls' final
12:50 pm 1,500m boys' final
1:05 pm 4x100m girls' final
1:15 pm 4x100m boys' final
1:25 pm 2,000m steeplechase boys' final
1:45 pm 4x400m mixed relays final
