Daegu marathon champ Kitum extends hot streak to the track

Only three weeks after winning Daegu International Marathon in a course record, Abraham Kitum extended his form to the track to win men’s 10,000m race at the fourth leg of Athletics Kenya Track and Field meet at the University of Eldoret on Friday.

Kitum, who won at the South Korean city in 2:06:29 on April 1, clocked 29 minutes and 22.0 seconds finish first, beating Kenya-born American Emmanuel Bor in 29:34.6.

Henry Rono timed 29:54.0 to settle for third place as the varsity grounds hosted the AK Track and Field event for the first time.

After failing to defend her Africa Cross Country junior title a month ago in Algeria, Gloria Kite turned on the style to win the women’s 5,000m in 16:05.3, beating Joan Jepkemboi to second place in 16:24.8.

The 2009 World Youth 1,500m champion Nelly Chebet, who is also the 2008 World Youth 5,000m bronze medallist, finished third, losing to Jepkemboi on the line in 16:24.9.

The second day on Saturday will see the 2017 World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Hyvin Kiyeng, who is also the 2015 World 3,000m steeplechase champion, race in women’s 1,500m.

Kiyeng, the 2016 Rio Olympics 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, is up against World 10,00m bronze medallist Agnes Jebet, who is also the 2016 World Cross Country champion.

Also in the metric mile race final is Kenya-born Yasemin Can of Turkey, who holds the 2016 European 10,000m and 5,000m titles, and steeplechase runner Caroline Tuigong.

Kenya’s representative in 5,000m at the 2017 World Championships Cyrus Rutto headlines men’s 1,500m final that is awash with fledgling talent.

They include Lawi Kosgei, the 2015 World Youth 1,500m bronze medallist, Gilbert Kwemoi, the 2015 Africa junior 1,500m silver medallist and 2017 Africa junior 1,500m silver medallist Boaz Kiprugut.

Kiyeng’s younger sister Judy, who represented Kenya in 1,500m at the 2017 London World Championships, will line up for women’s 800m final.

The men’s 800m final is full of experience with the likes of Jeremiah Mutai, Charles Simotwo, Jonah Kiprop and Kipng’etich Ng’eno.

10,000m men

1. Abraham Kiptum 29:22.0; 2. Emmanuel Bor 29:34.6; 3. Henry Rono 29:54.0; 4. Lukas Rugut 29:58.2; 5. Felix Kirui 30:07.7

Triple jump men

1. Isaac Kirwa 15.32; 2. Philip Musyoka 15.06; 3. Vincent Kilel 15.05; 4. Shadrack Chomboi 14.69; 5. Dominic Kiptoo 14.33

Discus men

1. Charles Kipkemoi 48.66; 2. Boaz Munyancha 40.85;

3. Kipsang Rotich 39.94; 4. Mark Kering 39.60; 5. Nicodemus Kipchirchir 38.56

High Jump

1. Edwin Too 185; 2. Frankline Cheruiyot 185; 3 Dominic Kiptoo 180; 4. Isaac Kirwa 175; 5. Philip Musyoka 175

Shotput

1. Boaz Monyancha 12.25; 2. Alfred Kipruto 11.70; 3. Charles Kipkemoi 11.50; 4. Frankline Kipkirui 9.90; 5. Kipsang Rotich 9.73

Hammer

1. Thomas Muyanga 45.5; 2. Alfred Lagat 44.35; 3. Nicodemus Kipchirchir 42.75; 4. Silas Kirui 443.69

5,000m women

1. Gloria Kite 16:05.3; 2. Joan Japkemboi 16:24.8; 3. Nelly Chebet 16:24.9; 4. Nancy Jelagat 16:31.3; 5. Sarah Chelangat 16:37.9

Long Jump women

1. Frida Mwangi 5.10; 2. Dorothy Opili 4.66; 3. Dorcas Ng’etich 4.51; 4. Damaris Nyakeruri 3.98; 5. Joyline Kurgat 3.52