Former All Africa Games 5,000m silver medalist Rosemarym Wanjiku Monica and former Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jonathan Ndiku were victorious at the 10,000m during the Abashiri race, the third meeting in the Hokuren Distance Challenge series.
Wanjiru who finished 4th at the world Athletics champions in Doha, Qatar last year registered back to back wins. Last week, she won the opening track campaign with a 5000m win in Fukagawa, defeated Japan’s Mao Ichiyama to win in 30:38.18, just three seconds shy of the PB she set when finishing fourth over the distance at last year’s World Championships in Doha.
The Nagoya marathon champion Ichiyama is also part of the Japan’s Olympic team.
Wanjiru’s time is a world-leading mark. Although it was close to her track PB, Wanjiru has clocked 29:50 – the third-fastest time in history – on the roads.
Two time world junior 3,000m steeplechase champion Ndiku won the men’s 10,000m ‘A’ race in 27:23.47.
The Africa Ath;letics championships 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist led an all Kenyan podium sweep finishing comfortably ahead of Alexander Mutiso (27:44.37) and former world Youth 3,000m champion Richard Kimunyan Yator (27:49.35).
It was bad results for Kenyans in the 5,000m when Nozomi Tanaka won the title ahead of Hellen Ekarare (15:03.09). Benard Kibet Koech.