By Dennis Mabuka
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet beat a strong field of runners to win the 5,000m women’s Kip Keino Classic race at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Chebet, who in 2022 won the silver medal in the 5000 metres at the World Championships, put up a brave fight to close the finishing line with a time of 15:15.82.
Kenya’s Margaret Kipkemboi, who gave Chebet a toe-toe rave, came second after clocking 15:16.28, Judith Kiyeng, the young sister to former world 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvine Kiyeng finished third, while Lilian Kasait finished fourth.
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“I had not raced for some time now, this was my first race this season and I am happy to have finished on the podium.” Chebet said after the race adding:
“I came here to test my speed and endurance and I hope my season will get better with time because I have many races lined up.”
In the men’s 5, 000m race, Ethiopia’s Lemi Teddese braced a tough competition from Kenyans to triumph with a time of 13:2658 while Kenya’s Ishmail Rokitto returned home second in 13:27.34 and Peter Maru from Uganda finished third at 13:28.14.
In the men’s 10, 000m race, Kenya’s Daniel Simiu was crowned the winner after his superb last kick enabled him to cruise to victory in a time of 28:09.94. Simiu is currently ranked ninth in his specialty in the world rankings.
Simiu, who is the Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres silver medallist, started the race strongly before he took control with four laps remaining to hit the finish line and defeat Edwin Kipkemoi to second place in 28:30.05 as Stanley Njihia clocked 28:30.61.
Meanwhile, the 400m race produced a good show before Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga set a new record of 44.24 to emerge victorious after beating American Vernon Norwood and French international Gilles Biron.
Boniface Mweresa, who was representing Kenya, finished fourth in a season-best of 45.73.
Another entertaining race came in the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles where Kenya’s Wiseman Were and Hannah Mwangi set a new meet.
Were clocked 49.49 seconds to put away the men’s race, as Mwangi dipped home in a personal best of 57.44 to reign in the women’s race.