Ugandan Athletes inspire spectators at Mumias race in Kenya – Athletics news
The fourth National Bank of Kenya weekend race witnessed some terrific performances, as Ugandan athletes displayed a surprising rise against traditional runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Mumias, the western town of Kenya, not only observed the runner from Uganda emerging into the battle, but it also helped 16 other runners to start making preparations for the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Daegu.
In the women’s meeting, it was the world junior bronze medal winner, Anney Nekesa, who prevailed in the 800m contest.
The two-day event, which kicked-off on Friday, missed many of the Kenyan big names, who are presently focusing on preparing themselves for the Samsung Diamond League. However, the event still dished out some exciting moments for the spectators in the 10,000m
run. With 19-year-old John Kemboi outdoing Africa Cross Country Champion John Mwangangi, the long distance event was a real treat for the crowd present around the field.
A breakthrough of the event was the first defeat of Grace Wanjiru in the last three years. Wanjiru, the African title holder and record holder of Race Walking, was defeated by Emily Ngii, who has been playing bridesmaid in the last seven head-to-head events
organised on the domestic level.
Nekesa, the bronze medal winner at last year’s Moncton World Juniors, outdid her fierce rival, Lydia Nafula, for bagging a rare victory for Uganda on Kenyan soil. Nekesa clocked 2:05.2 for emerging as the winner in the event. Nafula, the Kenyan runner who
enjoyed thorough support of the home crowd, marked 2:05.4 for securing second position on the podium. Crossing the finishing line in 2:07.0, Sheila Jesang, bagged third position in the women’s 800m run.
In the men’s event, it was Timothy Kiptum who emerged into the event as he clocked 1:48.2, for securing the runner-up position. Anthony Chemut marked 1:48.5, while Edwin Kiplagat finished third with a time of 1:48.7. Displaying his form and fitness, Asbel
Kiprop, the 1500m Olympic champion who is to participate in the Samsung Diamond League opener in Doha on Friday, clocked a quick 1:46.5.
In the men’s 1500m competition, Benson Kiplagat clocked 3:44.4 and prevailed over Elijah Kipchirchir, who finished the race in 3:45.1 and James Tenai, who clocked 3:45.4. On the women’s side, it was Regina Jerotich who covered the targeted distance in 4:25.3.
For standing second and third on the podium, Juliet Chekwel and Goreth Jepkoech marked 4:26.02 and 4:29.32, respectively.
Philemon Yator, the Punta Umbria World Cross Country runner was pushed to the third position by Abraham Kasongor in the men’s 5000m run. To encounter Yator’s 13:54.0, Kasongor clocked 13:49.2. For clocking 13:51.7, the third position was claimed by Soyekwa
Kibet.
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