Africa U20 championship bronze medallist Samuel Kibathi has his sight set on the Sirikwa Cross Country Classic after emerging victorious in Heat Two of the men’s 5,000m at the Athletics Kenya Track and Field weekend meeting on Friday after clocking 13:49.69.
Kosen Daniel came second in 13:50.95 while Central Rift’s Patrick Kipkurui came third in 13:58.22
Kibathi, who trains in Japan, was competing in his first race in Kenya this season, which he used to gauge his form ahead of the Sirikwa Classic.
The annual cross country event, a World Athletics Gold Label meeting, will be held at Lobo Village in Eldoret on February 3.
“This is my first race of the season in Kenya and I am glad I won it. I wanted to use the race to test my body as I look forward to the Sirikwa Classic,” Kibathi noted.
In January 2023, Kibathi ran 23:12.2 to clinch the U20 national cross country championships title at the Kenya Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru.
He won bronze in the 10,000m at the African U20 Championships held in Ndola, Zambia, in April 2023.
In addition to Sirikwa, Kibathi is also angling for a slot in Team Kenya to the World Cross Country Championships slated for March 30 in Belgrade, Serbia.
“I am preparing for the World Cross Country Championships too. I want to represent Kenya. I also hope to improve on my 5,000m personal best (13:23),” he added.
Dennis Kipkoech won Heat One in a time of 13:56.78 followed by Silas Senchura (13:58.50) and George Meitamei (14:15.79).
Bomet-based Kipkoech is targeting the World Athletics U20 Championships slated for August 27-31 in Lima, Peru.
“The race was challenging due to adverse weather. The temperatures were high but I did my best,” said Kipkoech. “My target is to represent the country at the World U20 Championships as well as the African Games (in Accra, Ghana, in March).”
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala recorded his first 200m win of the season in a time of 20.46 in Heat One. Samuel Chege and Moses Muriithi were second and third in identical times of 20.75.
“I want to build up on this and see where I will be in the 200m as I push to qualify for the Paris Olympics,” said Omanyala.
Rukia Nusra of KDF clocked 13.71 in the women’s 100m hurdles to set a national record. She was followed by Veronica Chebet (14.61) and Gladys Muthoni (14.70).
2023 world 800m champion Mary Moraa began her 400m campaign with a 53.00 clocking to win Heat Five.
She was followed by Gladys Jepkemboi, who clocked 54.80 and Maureen Thomas (55.05).
Rebecca Njeri from Central clocked 34:14.29 to win the 10,000m final followed by Monica Wanjiku (34:17.90) and Nympha Kiteta (34:21.88).
In the men’s high jump, Asbel Kemboi of KDF cleared 2.18m to carry the day. Samuel Muthonga came second in 2.05m while Edwin Kimutai took third spot with 2m.
