The 2023 African 10,000m champion Janeth Chepng’etich was in imperious form on the opening day of the third leg of the Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend Meeting in Kapsabet, laying down an early marker in the women’s 5,000m semi-final.
Competing at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex, Chepng’etich controlled proceedings to clock 16:23.6, comfortably winning Heat One.
She powered clear of Cynthia Chepkurui (16:24.1) and Catherine Cherotich (16:27.0).
It was her first appearance at an AK weekend meeting this year and she made it count.
“This is my first weekend meeting and I am glad I won the race.”
With the semi-final hurdle cleared, the focus now shifts to sealing the deal in the final.
“I am now waiting for the finals and hope for the best. Let God lead the way.”
Heat Two produced its own statement performance, as Phenah Yego surged to victory in 16:42.2, holding off Naomi Korir (16:44.7) and Sandrafelis Chebet (16:46.4).
For Yego, a road specialist more accustomed to pounding the tarmac, it was a successful transition to the track.
“This was my first time to run a track event in the AK series. I have been focusing on the roads.”
“I came here just to gauge my body. My last race was the Discovery Cross Country where I finished sixth in the senior race and finished seventh in Sirikwa,” she said.
She believes the victory has lit a spark in her track ambitions.
“This has given me confidence and now I see I can run well on the track just as I do on the roads,” she said.
Korir, meanwhile, highlighted the 5,000m as a vital building block in her endurance programme.
“Running the 5,000m helps me a lot because it gives me the endurance.”
She admitted that finishing second came as a surprise.
“I did not expect to finish second in the race because the turnout was very high and competition was stiff,”she added.
Chebet also walked away encouraged, drawing positives from how her body handled the pace and pressure.
“I can see that my body is responding well and I am gaining more confidence with each race,” Chebet said.
Her attention now turns to a sterner test over double the distance.
“I will be running the 10,000m on Friday.”
In the men’s 5,000m semi-finals, Kipkoech Kipruto clocked 14:14.7 to win Heat One, edging out Noah Chumba (14:15.6) and Nehemiah Kipng’eno (14:21.6).
Heat Two saw Kiprono Kiboino time 14:09.6 to finish ahead of Reynold Cheruiyot (14:17.9) and Alex Pelor (14:25.0).
Rodger Chelal produced the quickest time of the rounds, storming to victory in Heat Three in 14:03.1, with Kevin Biwott (14:08.4) and Andrew Alamisi (14:10.6) hot on his heels.
In the sprints, veteran Millicent Ndoro powered to victory in women’s 100m Heat Three in 11.6.
She finished ahead of Jackline Adoyo (12.3) and Leah Chesebe (12.5).
In the men’s 100m, Dennis Mwai blasted to 10.5 in Heat Six to book his place in the semi-finals, leading Rooney Wayne (10.9) and Erastus Musilu (11.1) across the line.
The field events saw Roseline Rakamba dominate the women’s hammer throw final with a commanding 52.70m, ahead of Nancy Kanini (47.76m) and Rebecca Koroso (46.22m).
In the men’s final, Dominic Abunda unleashed a 57.81m throw to top the podium, with Adelbert Nyambasoro (55.65m) and Reagan Oketch (55.31m) completing the podium.