NAIROBI, Kenya, March 1, 2025 – Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) Celestine Biwott won the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the second leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field Weekend Meeting at the Thika Municipal Stadium in Thika on Friday afternoon.
The 21-year-old clocked 10:16.3 to cut the tape, ahead of Dorothy Kimutai (11:00.4) and Ann Gathoni (11:02.2) who clinched second and third respectively.
It was Biwott’s first track and field race in over a year, a fact that she considers a huge milestone.
“I have been working hard in the days that have passed. As part of my preparations, I ran at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country race in Uasin Gishu. I need to be well prepared considering before Chepsaita, I had not been in action for close to a year. I am delighted with today’s victory,” she said.
The youngster further underlined her intentions to make the Kenyan team for this year’s World Championships in Tokyo in August-September.
“My ultimate objective is to qualify for the World Championships. I will continue to work harder in training and improve on the various aspects of my race, like speed. I feel that that is an area in which I need to get better,” Biwott said.
The 21-year-old was also in contention at last weekend’s Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret where she clocked 7:11 to finish ninth in the women’s 2km loop.
Gathimba outclasses Wanyonyi
In the other finals on Friday, triple African champion Samuel Gathimba rolled back the years with victory in the men’s 20km race walk.
Gathimba timed 41:44.7 to cross the finish line, ahead of the 2021 World Under 20 champion Herristone Wanyonyi (42:40.6) and Stephen Ndangiri (42:55.2) in second and third respectively.
The 2022 African bronze medalist Sylvia Kemboi conquered the women’s race, clocking 49:56.7 to take top honour.
Mercyline Nakhumicha came second in 50:34.9 as Naum Jepkirui clocked 51:34.1 to finish third.
‘Too’ high to handle
African decathlon bronze medalist Edwin Too reigned supreme in the men’s high jump, recording 1.90m to emerge victorious.
Bismark Soi and Nickson Sigei, both of KDF, finished second and third respectively after both jumped 1.85m.
In the women’s category, Faith Jepkemboi jumped 1.68m to clinch first place, ahead of ahead of Moureen Wafula (1.61m) and Ann Muhanda (1.50m) in second and third respectively.
The competition concludes on Saturday with more finals on the cards.
