A wave of red-hot performances lit up Ulinzi Sports Complex on Thursday as a host of track and field stars punched their tickets to the African Senior Athletics Championships set for May 12–17 in Accra, Ghana.
The combined World Relays and African Championships trials got underway at the venue and will run through Saturday.
Rising distance sensation Maurine Chebor stamped her authority in the women’s 5,000m, clocking 15:51.04 to storm to victory.
Her time was well below the 16:18.0 entry standard for the continental showpiece.
Chebor held off a strong challenge from Joyline Chepkemoi, who finished second in 15:53.08, while Cynthia Chepkurui placed third in 16:00.99, with both athletes also comfortably dipping under the qualifying mark.
Nancy Jepkemei made it four athletes under the standard, finishing fourth in 16:15.68.
Despite the commanding win, Chebor admitted she had to dig deep, citing fatigue from last weekend’s Betika BingwaFest finals in Meru.
“The race was good for me. I had a bit of fatigue from the BingwaFest finals in Meru, but I pushed myself for a strong result at the trials,” Chebor said.
She had earlier showcased her endurance in Meru, clocking 32:17.02 to win the women’s 10,000m.
With qualification secured, Chebor is confident of delivering on the continental stage.
“I am very happy to have attained the qualifying mark. When I go to represent Kenya, I will deliver good results,” she said.
In the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, Diana Chepkemoi led a high-quality field, clocking 9:36.76 to win ahead of Mercy Chepng’eno (9:38.87) and Mercy Mageso (9:45.27).
All three athletes dipped well below the 10:30.0 qualification standard.
Chepkemoi, who trains at Lemotit camp under coach Paul Kemei, is confident of a podium finish in Ghana.
“I promise my fellow Kenyans that when I go to the African Championships, I will come back with a medal,” she said.
She credited her performance to solid preparation.
“I trained well, and my coach gave me a strong programme that helped me deliver today.”
In the field events, Faith Kipsang delivered a historic performance, setting a new national record in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 1.80m, surpassing the previous 1.75m mark set by Zeddy Chesire in 2023.
Her effort also exceeded the African Championships qualifying standard of 1.75m.
Kipsang finished well ahead of Margaret Kingi (1.60m) and Eucabeth Chepkemoi (1.55m).
“The qualifying mark was 1.75m, and I managed to clear it while also setting a national record,” she said.
“At the African Championships, I promise to do my best.”
National hammer throw champion Roseline Rakamba also secured qualification with a throw of 57.08m, comfortably beyond the 50.50m entry standard.
She finished ahead of Nancy Wambua (48.88m) and Lucy Omondi (46.74m).
In the men’s hammer throw, Dominic Abunda booked his place in Accra with a 62.60m throw, surpassing the 59.00m mark.
Adelbert Nyambasora (55.01m) and Reagan Oketch (54.21m) completed the podium.
On the track, Gladys Ngure continued her fine form, clocking 59.06 to qualify in the women’s 400m hurdles, dipping under the 59.64 standard.
Kipkorir Rotich also secured qualification in the men’s 400m hurdles, posting 49.93 to go below the 50.94 entry mark.
In the women’s 1,500m, all podium finishers met the qualification standard, with Mary Ekiru leading in 4:09.60 ahead of Faith Chebet (4:11.64) and Vivian Chebet (4:12.45).
Meanwhile, Asbel Kemboi clinched victory in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.12m to meet the entry standard and book his ticket to Accra.
He finished ahead of Samuel Muthoga (2.00m) and Abed Kiprotich (1.95m).
