Odira, Muneria and Chemnung light up Kenya Prisons Championships with dominant displays

Olympian Lilian Odira, 2016 Africa Cross Country bronze medallist Charles Muneria and Malaga Half Marathon champion Loice Chemnung produced commanding performances in their various events to claim victories at the Kenya Prisons Athletics Championships on Friday.

Fresh from a stunning 800m victory at the Kip Keino Classic, Odira shifted gears to dominate the women’s 1,500m, clocking 4:22.2. She outkicked Joyce Biwott (4:25.0) and Penina Wangari (4:25.7). Odira was pleased to have claimed the 1,500m title but noted she did not expect the race to be that fast.

"It was a nice race and I thank God. The competition was tight because I was racing against 1,500m athletes," Odira said. "I did not expect the race to be fast, but I am always hoping to race in faster races so that I can improve my personal best."

Odira, who posted a new PB of 1:58.31 over 800m at the Kip Keino Classic on May 31, will double up in Saturday’s 800m final with her eyes firmly set on defending her crown. "In the 800m, I will be targeting to defend my title, and I feel confident I can win it."

She highlighted her steady progress on the track, noting that she aims to polish up on her speed. "I feel good, I see there is good progress. After the championships, I will sit down with my coach so we can see if there are races I can use to gauge my form."

"I have already tested my endurance, and so I just need to sharpen my speed."

In the men’s 10,000m, Muneria put on a gritty display to retain his title, clocking 29:07.3 to edge Benjamin Kiptoo (29:21.9) and Peter Wanyoike (29:44.3).

Muneria was glad to have claimed his fourth title at the Prison championships.

"I am pleased I won. The race was not easy. I was sick before coming to the championships, and I am glad I was able to come and defend my title," Muneria said. He, however, admitted he was not expecting to claim the title. "I did not expect to win. I was coming to gauge my form, and I am glad it's looking good."

With the Kenyan 10,000m trials for the World Championships in Tokyo looming in July, Muneria hopes to stay injury-free and sharpen both his endurance and finishing speed.

"I am hoping that before the nationals, my body will be okay so that I can push myself for good results," he said. "My body feels fine, so I just need to sharpen my speed and endurance," he highlighted.

Looking ahead, Muneria is eyeing the Kenyan 10,000m World championship trials set for July as well as lowering his marathon personal best. "I am hoping for the best before the 10,000m trials so that I can represent my country in Tokyo."

He added: "I am also aiming to lower my Marathon PB from 2:08 to 2:05 in the coming season."

Meanwhile, Chemnung cruised to back-to-back titles in the women’s 5,000m, clocking 15:18.0 to finish well ahead of Rebecca Mwangi (16:02.2) and Sheila Chepkirui (16:14.0). Chemnung was glad to have claimed back-to-back titles. "The race was not so bad. I am glad I was able to run today and defend my title," Chemnung said. She revealed she was using the race to gauge her speed.

"I wanted to use this 5,000m to gauge my speed. My coach had told me to run 15:27, but I was able to run 15:1,8, so I am happy." 

Looking ahead, she hopes to make the cut in the Kenyan 10,000m team for Tokyo.

"I have already qualified in the 10,000m, so I will try my best in the trials to see if I can make the Kenyan team."

Chemnung, who trains in Iten, confirmed she will sit with her coach to tweak her programme ahead of the final push to make Team Kenya. "I am going to sit with my coach and adjust my programme to focus on speed."

Edwin Too delivered a standout double, clinching both the 110m hurdles and high jump titles. In the high jump, Too cleared 2m to claim overall victory ahead of Kelvin Maina and Joseph Gikonyo, who both cleared 1.70m. Too clocked 15.59 in the hurdles, leading William Nyagaka (16.62) and Sammy Rugut (16.99).

Gladys Ngure was peerless in the women’s 100m hurdles, stopping the clock at 14.74. Maureen Wafula (16.26) and Sally Chepkosgei (19.58) completed the podium.