Manangoi leads star cast to AK Relay Series victory

World 1,500m silver medallist Elijah Manangoi anchored his team to victory in the men’s 4x400m victory in the fourth leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) Relay Series at Prisons grounds, Nairobi West on Saturday.

A star-studded Manangoi’s team of Diamond League Series 800m winner Ferguson Rotich, 2016 World Junior 800m champion Kipyegon Bett, 2014 World Junior upon champion Alfred Kipketer came from behind to clock 3 minutes and 12.8 seconds.

The team comprising 2016 World Junior 400m finalist Geoffrey Kiprotich, Joseph Senate, Kelvin Kiprotich and Robert Rop settled for second spot in 3:13.0 as Michael Makan’s team of Newton Rono, William Rayian and Christopher Anene came in third in 3:13.9.

It was thrills as Rotich took off the blocks first, giving Senare his moments of grace to lead in the first lap. Second in line, Kipyegon closed the gap on Kelvin, who handed the baton to teammate Geoffrey with Kipketer taking over from Kipyegon.

Manangoi, who was almost seven metres behind Rop, accelerated to take the lead with 50m to go and never looked back.

“The body is opening up well and I should be in my best form before the World Relays,” said Manangoi, who had earlier posted the third fastest time of 1:48.6 when winning his 800m race.

Manangoi hopes to make the 4x800m team on his debut at the World Relays Championships due on May 22-23 in Nassau, Bahamas.

Manangoi is also sharpening for his second appearance at the World Championships in London in August 4-13.

“My target is not only to go one better in London but improve on my personal best perhaps with a World record time. I want to run below 3 minutes and 26 seconds,” said Manangoi, who has personal best 3:29.61 in 1,500m.

Manangoi settled for silver in 1,500m as compatriot Asbel Kiprop claimed his third successive title during the 2015 Beijing World Championships.

However, the AK coaches will have to address the relays techniques what with glaring mistakes in baton handling and change of lane techniques by the athletes during the Saturday’s races.

FASTEST TIME

Manangoi, who ran 1:48.5 during the second leg of the relays, won his 800m heat in 1:48.6, beating Kipketer and Matthew Rono in 1:49.3 and 1:50.6 respectively.

Kipyegon ran the fastest time on Kenyan soil this year when he won his 800m heat in 1:47.4, edging out Nicholas Kiplagat and Cornelius Tuwei in 1:48.0 and 1:48.4 respectively.

Timothy Cheruiyot claimed the second best time of the day, winning his 800m heat in 1:48.5 to stun Rotich to second in 1:49.4.

African Games 400m silver nedallist chalked the fastest 400m time on the day, winning his heat in 47.4, beating Geoffrey Kiprotich in 47.9 and Julius Rotich 49.6.

Kelvin Kiprotich ran 48.4 to win his 400 heat while Michael Makan and Charles Atito returned identical time of 48.9 top claim their respective heats.

Former 400m champion Jacinta Shikanda returned the fastest time in women’s 400m heats, clocking 55.9, edging out Veronica Mutua in 56.3. Grace Kidake and Catherine Nandi timed 57.4 and 57.9 to win their heats.