Defending champion Maureen Chebor successfully retained her women’s 10,000m crown at the Betika BingwaFest National Finals in Meru, while Robert Kiprop won the men’s title at Kinoru Stadium on Saturday, April 03.
Chebor crossed the line in 32:17.2 to claim back-to-back titles, holding off Phanuel Yego, who finished second in 32:20.7, while Miriam Chebet completed the podium in 32:34.9.
“I am happy to defend the title I won in Siaya during the first edition. Today’s race was good and everything went on as I had planned. My focus now shifts to this year’s Commonwealth Games,” Chebor said after the win.
Fresh from the Berlin Half Marathon last weekend where he set his person best over the 21-km distance, Kiprop stunned Ebenyo to take the men’s title over 10,000m after clocking 29:06.2. Ebenyo timed 29:08.5 to finish second as Mathew Kipkoech sealed third place in 29:09.8 after a closely fought contest that saw the leading trio separated by just over three seconds at the finish.
Speaking after the win, Kiprop said: “I am grateful for the win. I just came from Berlin, where I ran a personal best in the half-marathon and I did not expect to win today as I still have some blisters from the race. I am grateful to (Daniel) Ebenyo for pushing Kipkoech and I. We all train at Iten, and it was beautiful pushing each other. For the last lap, we were three of us at the front and we just decided to go for it as everyone fought for their position.”
Chebor and Kiprop took home KES 400,000 each while the second and third-place finishers received KES 350,000 and KES 300,000, respectively.
The men’s 5,000m also produced a thrilling contest, with Mathew Kipsang claiming victory in 13:52.8, narrowly ahead of Amason Kireu, who finished second in 13:53.55, while Gilbert Kiprotich secured third place in 13:54.03 in another tightly contested race.
“I have been working on my finishing and that worked very well for me today. It is something that I picked in Tokyo last year during the World Championships because everyone was so good with their kick. The race started our slowly but I knew that would work to my advantage towards the end for that final sprint,” Kipsang said.
In the women’s 5,000m, Miriam Chebet delivered an outstanding performance to win in 15:41.4 and clinch her second medal for the day, narrowly edging Cynthia Chepngeno, who finished second in 15:42.1. Joyline Chepkemoi completed the podium in 15:43.1.
Athletics Kenya Athletes Representative Milcah Chemos hailed the competition, urging the organizers to continue into the third season in a bigger format.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank BingwaFest for coming up with this event, which has really helped upcoming athletes, especially those who do not have sponsorship. This year, the event has been of great help to our athletes as they prepared for various competitions, including the relays in Botswana last week. We have an idea of the shape in which the athletes are in as we head for the AK combined trials for the World Relays and African Senior Championships next week. I hope we will have more events next season. Having the 3,000m steeplechase could be beneficial, especially for the under-20 athletes,” Chemos said.
In the 1500m race, Patrick Rotich (3:41.0) led Dominic Kiptoo (3:41.2) and Mathew Kipsang (3:41.5) to glory in the men’s final as Naomi Korir continued her fine running to win the women’s race in 4:15.4 ahead of Miriam Cherop (4:15.9) and Josephine Sembeyo (4:16.2).
Korir then went on to win the 800m title, stopping the clock in 2:00.7to beat Vivian Chebet (2:02.1) and Miriam Chebet (2:02.9). In the men’s race, Nicholas Kiplagat (1:45.0) finished first as Brian Kiptoo (1:45.4) and Laban Chepkwony (1:45.5) finished second and third respectively.
Allan Kipyegon (44.5) won the men’s 400m ahead of George Mutinda (44.9) and Danson Kibet (45.7). In the women’s race, Mercy Chebet (52.5) cut the tape first as Gladys Chepkemboi (52.9) and Lanoline Aoko (53.6) came home second and third, respectively.
In 100m, Moses Wasike (9.9) beat Bonface Mweresa (10.0) and Ronald Koech (10.2) in the men’s final as Millicent Ndoro (11.4) finished ahead of Lanoline Aoko (11.6) and Lucia Williams (11.9).
In the 4X100m relays, Team Nakuru stormed to victory in 39.2 in the men’s final as Team Siaya (39.4) and Team Mombasa (39.8) finished second and third. Nakuru continued their dominance in the women’s race as well with a time of 45.8 as Mombasa (46.8) and Machakos (47.6) finished second and third.
Team Nakuru won the men’s 4X400m as well in a time of (3:04.6) followed by Team Meru (3:06.2) and Mombasa (3:07.9). Team Machakos (3:39.2) won the women’s battle with Team Mombasa (3:43.3) and Team Mumias (3:53.5).
