World champ Beatrice Chepkoech shines at Police track finals

Beatrice Chepkoech (right) gain grounds ahead of Abigael Jelagat (left) and Ann Gathoni (022) at the National Police Service Athletics Championships’ 3,000 metres steeplechase final at the Nyayo National Stadium on May 17, 2017. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • World cross country relay gold medal winner takes steeplechase title.
  • Manangoi will also face Timothy Sein and Jeremiah Mutai won the other 800m semi-finals in 1:48.9 and 1:48.8.
  • Kiplagat Ruto won the men’s long jump in 7.82m while Anderson Muiruri bagged the triple jump title in 2.00m. Damacline Nyakeruri won women’s javelin in 45.94m while Ruth Njoroge went for the 10km walk race in 52:06.2.
  • Rotich Kipsang and Rose Rakamba won men and women’s discus with throws of 44.68m and 40.91m.

World Cross Country Championships mixed relays gold medallist Beatrice Chepkoech cashed in on the absence of several stars to win women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase title Wednesday at the Kenya Police Service Athletics Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Fresh from posting personal best in a second place of nine minutes and 01.57 seconds at Doha’s Diamond League meeting, Chepkoech obliterated the field of five athletes in a gun-to-tape performance victory of 9:50.06.

Chepkoech, who finished fourth at the Rio Olympic Games, edged out Abigael Jelagat and Anne Gathoni to second and third places in 10:16.6 and 10:20.4 respectively.

“It was a good victory even though I am still on medication, having been admitted a while ago after I fell sick,” said Chepkoech, who failed to compete in Shanghai last Sunday after she fell sick.

“I was admitted for three days after Doha but I am well now.”

Chepkoech, who will be seeking a double in women’s 1,500m final Thursday, said she hopes to be fit for the Prefontaine Classic on May 27 in Eugene, USA, where she hopes to turn the tables on world champion Hyvin Kiyeng and Olympic champion Ruth Jebet from Bahrain.

Chepkoech lost the Doha battle to Kiyeng, who ran a world lead time of 9:00.12, as Jebet, who is also the world record holder, came third in 9:01.99. 

But Kiyeng, who is also an Olympic silver medallist, lost to Jebet in Shanghai, clocking 9:06.72 against Jebet’s winning time of 9:04.78. Kiyeng failed to compete in the Police meet Wednesday as did Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist Purity Kirui and the 2015 Diamond League 3,000m steeplechase series winner Virginia Nyambura.

However, Kiyeng will field in Thursday’s 5,000m final where she will take on the 2013 world 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono, Africa Games 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo and former world junior 3,000m steeplechase champion and record holder Ruth Bosibori.

Meanwhile, Eglay Nalianya, who was in Kenya’s 4x800m team at this year’s World Relay Championships in Bahamas, won her 800m semi-final in a slow time of 2:10.4.

World 1,500m silver medallist Elijah Manangoi illuminated the men’s 800m first semi-final race with victory in 1:48.1 to storm the final.

Manangoi edged out Job Kinyor and Justus Kipchoech to second and third places in 1:48.4 and 1:48.8 respectively.

Manangoi will also face Timothy Sein and Jeremiah Mutai won the other 800m semi-finals in 1:48.9 and 1:48.8.

Kiplagat Ruto won the men’s long jump in 7.82m while Anderson Muiruri bagged the triple jump title in 2.00m. Damacline Nyakeruri won women’s javelin in 45.94m while Ruth Njoroge went for the 10km walk race in 52:06.2.

Rotich Kipsang and Rose Rakamba won men and women’s discus with throws of 44.68m and 40.91m.