Ugandan Sarah Chelangat and Ethiopian Hailemaryam Amare were the winners the women and men’s 5,000m title at the 6th edition of Kip Keino Classic held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi today.
Chelangat timed 15:03.33, with her victory activated the rivalry between Kenya and Uganda in long distance running where Kenyan Maurine Jepkoech Chebor was second in 15:14.57 with Ethiopian Gememe Mamite completing the podium at 15:21.25.
Ugandan Chelangat storms to victory in women’s 5000m
Chelangat shocked her Kenyan counterparts with a spectacular finish in the women’s 5000m race, cruising to a convincing victory, destroying a strong field as she dominated the lead in the final five laps.
Kenya’s Nancy Jepkemei had dictated the proceedings before bowing out, handing the lead to the Ugandan athlete at the seventh lap.
Chelangat maintained the lead to the finish, and was alone at the bell as Maureene Chebor chased.
She clocked 15:03.33 ahead of Chebor (15:14.57) who ran a glorious race to finish second.
“I’m satisfied with my second-place finish. I came here because I wanted to qualify for an invitation in the upcoming national trials. I started my season with the cross country and that has helped me a lot in my build-up. I want to qualify for the World Championships and I believe that it is possible,” Chebor said.
Mamite Gemene of Ethiopia ran 15:21.25 for third place as Cynthia Chepkirui and world silver medallist Mercy Cherono finished fourth and fifth respectively in the women’s 5000m contest.
Ethiopians steal glory at the death in men’s 5000m
In men’s 5,000m, Amare won the title in 13:34.02 ahead of compatriot Ayele Zenebe Tadese in 13:34.86 as former world 5,000m silver medalist Stanley Waithaka Mburu completing the podium at 13:38.17.
Ethiopians steal glory at the death in men’s 5000m
Amare put on the nitroburners in the last lap, cruising across the finish line in 13:34.02 as his fellow countryman, Tedese, came second in 13:34.86.
The 2022 World 10,000m silver medalist, Stanley Waithaka, clocked 13:38.17 to finish third, having led for a majority of the race.
Speaking after the race, the 25-year-old said the competition was a perfect opportunity for him to whip into shape, ahead of the national trials for the World Championships.
“I’m happy with my performance. I have not been competing in the 5,000. My target was to test my speed as I prepare for the 10,000 trials that will be held next month,” the 2018 World Under 20 5000m silver medalist said.
Saturday’s competition was the fifth for Waithaka, this year, following his last race in Nobeoka, Japan where he clocked 13:14.32 to finish eighth in the men’s 5000m.
South African Nene blazes to world leas in 400m
South African sprinter Zakithi Nene delivered a world-leading performance to win the men’s 400m Heat A at the Absa Kip Keino Classic, clocking a blistering 43.76 seconds on Saturday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Pre-race favourite Chidi Okezie of Nigeria, who finished second in a season’s best time of 44.98 seconds. Kenya’s Zablon Ekwam came in third, narrowly missing the World Championships qualifying time with a strong 45.01 finish.
“It’s amazing. I’m happy to be in Kenya and got my personal best,” said Nene. “I’m taking race by race as I keep my eye on the World Championships. The atmosphere here was fantastic.”
Ekwam expressed mixed feelings after his close miss.
“I was not supposed to compete today because my management had other plans, but I decided to come,” said Ekwam. “It’s not a bad time — I just missed the World Championships qualification by mere seconds. I’m going to chase for the qualification in the other races I have.”
Nene’s dominant run not only marked a personal best but also placed him at the top of the global rankings this season, making him a strong contender ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo this September.