The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
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Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
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Safaricon weekend race
Athletes fight it off in steeplechase race during AK Safaricom Premier Weekend meet held at Kipchoge Stadium In Eldoret yesterday. Joash Kiplimo-No 0470 won the race. 32.05.2015. Picture By Peter Ochieng.
A new order was fashioned as the final leg of Athletics Kenya track and field meeting ended at Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret yesterday.
Newcomers dominated the two-day meet as most elite athletes decided to save energy ahead of the IAAF Golden Spike in Ostrava on Tuesday and the third IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, on May 30.
Little-known Nancy Chepkemoi pulled a fast one on world 5,000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono and world cross country champion Agnes Jebet Tirop, to sneak away with the 1,500m race crown.
Africa Youth 2000m steeplechase champion Sandra Chebet stood out as the day’s show-stopper when she outfoxed experienced runners to chalk up 10,000m victory.
Two-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, who set a new stadium record of 3:36.09 on day one, did not show up in the final as he left for Ostrava.
And Timothy Cheruiyot, who won the medley relay silver medal at the IAAF World Relays Championships, finally proved his mettle as he won 1,500m race without much fuss in 3:41.3, ahead of Abednego Cheseba (3:41.9), and Mark Bett (3:42.2).
Mathew Kiptanui (3:43.2), Hosea Cherongei (3:44.0) and Robert Kapting’ei (3:44.0) completed the top finishers.
“I am happy for the win. I never expected it, but I will strive to keep up the performance,” Cheruiyot said.
His UK-based manager, Anderson Malcom of Moyo Sports confirmed to Feverpitch that Cheruiyot will compete at the Prefontain Classic meet in Eugene, Oregon, where he will race against Ben Blankenship of USA who was in the Bahamas contest for USA anchor leg.
Elijah Kipchirchir, another upstart, posted a superb 13:51.8 in 5,000m beating Peter Lagat (13:57.2) and Kipngetich Rono (13:59.0), Willy Kwemoi (14:04.8) and Bernard Korir (14:10.6).
The script was similar in 3000m steeplechase, where newcomers prevailed, with Felix Kerong winning in 8:37.2. On-the-comeback-trail, former Africa champion Willy Komen returned second in 8:40.5, as Patrick Churus finished third in 8:41.9.
Erick Shikuku carried the 10,000m walk title in 46:19.5 ahead of Simion Musangu (48:11.0), Jacob Mutai (63:30.7) and Hezron Mungai (69:18.6).
Alex Sampao (47.01), fourth in 400m at the 2014 World Junior Championships, won men’s one-lap race beating 2010 Commonwealth Games 400m champion Mark Mutai (47.81) and Thomas Musembi (48.68).
In the women’s races, Africa Youth 2000m steeplechase champion Sandra Chebet showed no respect for her seniors as she won the 10,000m title in 34:51.6.
Her twin sister Emily Chebet, another Africa Youth champion, trailed in 34:53.37.
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Lucy Cheruiyot (35:57.1), Beatrice Cherop (36:41.4) and Salome Chepchumba (37:00.4) followed in that order. The performance inspired Nancy Chepkemoi into winning the 1,500m race in 4:06.5 ahead of Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono (4:07.2), Virginia Nyambura (4:12.4) and world cross country champion Agnes Jebet (4:20.1).
Cherono, who will compete in Eugene, said: “The windy conditions and the open stadium made me experience some difficulty in breathing. The hot weather was also another challenge.”
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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