Lornah Kiplagat Sports Academy ground in Iten, was the breeding ground for new athletes during the Athletics Kenya, Elgeyo Marakwet County Track and Field championships held today.
With no cash to pay athletes, officials struggled to explain what it means when there is no money but they selected a formidable team that will represent the famous Home of Champions ahead of six county (Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu) regional championships to be staged in Trans Nzoia County next weekend.
As youngsters took to the track and field, their focus is on Africa Athletics Championships as Monica Chirchir and Felix Kirui won the 10,000m women and women races respectively.
The chilly and rainy weather did not dampen their spirit to excel on track after forfeiting Tambach Teachers College track due to muddy condition.
Chirchir clocked 33:15.00 trouncing Vivian Cherotich (34:05.77) and Faith Kipsum (34:14.70).
With lack of bigwigs on the track, Felix Kirui was the men’s winner by clocking 30:38.01 ahead of Shadrack Kimutai (30:40.04) and Noah Kipkemboi’s 30:42.05.
With the county producing steeplechase chase champions each season, Stella Rutto and Titus Kosgey were the winners 3,000m steeplechase race, ran without water hurdle.
Kosgey, representing Keiyo North won the water and barriers by crossing the finish line in 7:28.22 after beating Micah Cheserek on homestretch.
He stopped the timer at 7:28.32 as Cheserek, he appeared too tired to fire back, came second timing 7:30.02 before Noah Kemboi finishing third in 7:51.73.
Rutto, competing for Keiyo South, clocked 9:08.69 followed by Regina Jerotich (9:23.89) and Judith Korir completing the podium in 9:32.72.
Selected results
10,000m women
- Monica Chirchir-33:15.00
- Vivian Cherotich-34:05.77
- Faith Kipsum-34:14.70
Men
- Felix Kirui-30:38.01
- Shadrack Kimutai -30:40.04
- Noah Kipkemboi -30:42.05
400m women
- Newton Kipngetich-54.87
- Elias Kiptoo-62:21
- Abraham Koech-63:65
1,500m women
- Vicodu Chepngeno -4:26.18
- Rebecca Jerop-4:49.63
- Gloria Keter-4:52.55
1,500m men
- Andrew Kibet-3:49.14
- Solomon Lemayan-3:50.11
- Mark Edong-3:50.68
5,000m women
- Salome Kipruto-15.53.84
- Salome Chepchuma-16:01.49
- Mercy Jebet-16:51.27
5,000m women
- Victor Togom-13;02.19
- Edwin Kibet-13:07.65
- Shadrack Cheruiyot-13;09.50
30,000m steeplechase women
- Stella Rutto-9:08.69
- Regina Jerotich-9:23.89
- Judith Korir-9:32.72
3,000m steeplechase men
- Titus Kosgey-7:28.32
- Micah Cheserek-7:30.02
- Noah Kemboi-7:51.73