Jelimo rocks Nyayo Stadium, Kitwara runs fastest 10,000 on Kenyan soil

Nyayo National Stadium exploded when Kenya's 'Golden Girl' Pamela Jelimo received the baton on her way to helping the Kenya Police 4x400m women’s relay team retain the national title - writes East Standard.

Joy Zakari set off for the Police team before surprise inclusion, World 800m champion, Janeth Jepkosgei scorched competition on the second leg. Jelimo clocked 52 seconds in her leg as her team won in 3:35.95.

At the three-day New KCC/AK National Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Olympic bronze winner Richard Mateelong won the steeple in 8:14.2 with Elijah Chelimo (8:19.8) and Abel Mutai (8:23.4) occupying other podium places. Athens Olympic champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, slipped and fell after the water jump as they went to the bell and faded to ninth, while four-time WAF winner, Paul Kipsiele Koech finished outside the top 10. An incensed Kemboi threw his running jersey to the ground in anger after the race.

African 800m champion, David Rudisha showed second placed Armed Forces champion, Jackson Kivuva (1:47.9) a winning 1:47.1. World Youth 800m champion, Winnie Chebet (2:05.9) won the women’s race.

World junior 3000 m women’s champion, Mercy Cherono showed her senior counterparts what to expect when she graduates to senior ranks by winning the women’s 5000 m national title in 15:46.74. Police youngster, Joseph Kitur (13:47.0) beat 2007 World Cross junior silver medallist, Vincent Kiprop (13:48.2) to the men’s title.

Police runner Sammy Kitwara who beat Haile Gebrselassie at Hague Half-Marathon this spring, lived to his vast potential when he ran the fastest 10 000 m on Kenyan soil to win an intriguing men’s contest and seal his place for the World Championships. Kitwara got 27:44.46, Japan based Gideon Ngatuny as second also qualified (27:44.77) ahead of Bernard Kipyego (27:44.80) and Moses Masai (27:44.88). Olympic medalist Micah Kogo dropped out.

Source: EME News