Stralugano Half Marathon winner Matthew Samperu, Isaac Cheluko and Nelson Mandela were the winners of 10,000m heats at Athletics Kenya Track and Field meeting kicked off today at the Nyayo stadium.
Samperu won heat one of the men’s 10,000m final as Cheluko won the second while Mandela was the third heat champion.
Samperu said: “I tried to stay behind to try and study my opponents. I knew it was going to be tough because everyone has been training well. I want to feature in other weekend meetings.”
Cheluko said: “I wanted to register good times but that was not possible because I was running alone, I really wanted to get someone to push me which I never got so I had to slow down eventually because I had done so much alone. I dedicate the victory to my wife Edinah Chepkemoi who will be competing at the Paris indoor games tonight. I want to I wish her well in here 3k race.”
Mandela, the young athlete at 19 said: “Today was my second time to run at the Nyayo National Stadium which also happens to be the most successful. I was running with fear because I was not sure what to expect luckily I gained confidence as the race progressed. I want to prepare well for future events with the priority being 5k at the under 20 Championships.”
Priscilla Tabunda defeated world under 20 runner Agnes Ngumbi to win the women’s 400m hurdles semifinals.
World under 18 400m silver medalist Mary Moraa, Linda Kageha and Veronica Mutua won their respective semifinal heats in the Women’s 400m.
Rebecca Mwangi defeated top contenders to win the women 5,000m title edging out Sandrafelis Chebet.
“I will travel back to Japan next month to continue with my training because I want to focus on speed work and endurance. My ambition is to qualify and represent Kenya at the World Championships,” said Mwangi
Wiseman Were says his extra efforts in training has paid off after starting strongly during the weekend meeting in the men’s 110m hurdles.
“I not only want to qualify for a major event but medal. I never rested over the Christmas holiday which has indeed paid off. Today I ran 14 seconds my next target is 13 seconds which i feel I will be able to achieve soon,” said Were