Olympic 800m Champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi made a huge statement as he stormed to victory in the men’s 1500m at the 7th edition of Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour today at the Nyayo National stadium.
Wanyonyi, a world champion in the two-lap race, went head-to-head with Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot.
Wanyonyi made his intentions clear of his potential to compete in the two events.
He chalked up victory in a personal best of 3:34.11 while Cheruiyot checked in second in 3:34.73.
“I am happy with my performance. The wave light helped to guide my pace. I still love my 800m specialty which I will continue competing in this year. I don’t want to be in a rush to double,” Wanyonyi said after victory.
World Cross Country mixed relay champion Kyumbe Munguti clocked 3:36.21 to settle for third place.
Mirriam Cherop reigned supreme in the women’s 1500m in a scintillating Kip Keino Classic discretionary race.
Cherop made her move after the pacemaker’s exit and produced a powerful pace in the final lap in the battle for glory.
She dictated the proceedings, sticking with the leaders before sprinting to victory in 4:08.49.
“I came here to test my endurance and I’m happy with the performance. I look forward to a better season this year. I was motivated by the huge number of fans who turned up. They were like pace setters for us,” said Cherop.
Deseta Tadele of Ethiopia came in second in a 4:09.55 personal best while Uganda’s 2019 world 800m champion Halima Nakaayi (4:09.66), returned third.
African Games bronze medallist Cornelius Kemboi, stunned a rich field to win the men’s 5,000m.
Fresh from finishing eighth at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland, Kemboi dropped two rivals with several laps to go to win in 13 minutes and 09.31 seconds.
Kemboi edged out Frankline Kibet to second place in personal best 13:10.70 as the 2023 world 5,000m bronze medallist Jacob Krop settled for third in 13:13.59.
“It was a good race. I executed as planned. The wavelight also assisted even though I missed my personal best. I enjoyed competing here and the crowd was amazing,” said Kemboi, who has a personal best 12:27.80.
Joyce Biwott was untouchable in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase where all the podium finishers chalked career best times. Biwott timed 9:55.26, beating Zeritu Dada from Ethiopia to second place in 9:57.27 as Mercy Chepng’eno from Kenya clocked 9:58.40 for third place.