Mercy Wanjiru Shines at the Ulinzi Complex During The National Athletics Championships

At the National Athletics Trials, which were held at the Ulinzi Complex, Kenya Defence Forces Mercy Wanjiru Gitahi led her teammate Leah Jeruto to a 1-2 finish in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9 minutes, 45.08 seconds.

Gladys Kwamboka of Kenya Police finished second in the women’s 10,000-meter race, which was won by guest runner Joy Cheptoyek of Uganda.

Kenya will choose a squad for the Africa Senior Championships, which will take place in Duala, Cameroon, next month, during the two-day tournament.

Gladys Kwamboka trailed Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek, who won the 10,000-meter event in 32 minutes and 43.4 seconds, at the finish.

Faith Chepkoech of South Rift and Emmy Chepkemoi of North Rift came in third and fourth, respectively.

The 100-meter sprint saw KDF’s Meshack Babu defeat Nairobi’s Moses Onyango Wasike in the first semi-final, winning in 10.38 seconds. Mark Otieno of Eastern won the second semi-final, finishing 10.45 seconds ahead of KDF’s Justin Mogoi Isaboke, guaranteeing an exciting final tomorrow.

Kenya Prison’s Esther Mbagari advanced to the finals of the women’s 100-meter race by outpacing KDF Champion Rukia Nusra in 11.80 seconds during the first semi-final.

When Monica Safania of the Kenyan police won the second heat in 12.09 seconds, she also secured her spot. Eunice Kadogo, a comrade from Police who won the third heat in 12.01 seconds, will join her in the finals.

Former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot advanced to the finals with his Police teammate Brian Komen, who continued his winning ways in the second heat after dominating in Doha in 3 minutes 44.68 seconds, by winning the third semi-final in 1500 metres men’s race in 3 minutes 47.10 seconds.

In the women’s 1500m semi-finals, Central’s Mary Nyaruai won the first heat in 4 minutes, 13.79 seconds, while Nancy Cherop won the second heat in 4 minutes, 19.67 seconds. Both women proceed to tomorrow’s finals, where they will compete against Caroline Nyaga, Viola Jepleting, Winny Chebet, and Faith Mwende, among others.

The AK is anticipated to announce a squad for the Africa senior championship as the Kenya national athletics championships cum tryouts come to a close on Wednesday.