NAIROBI, Kenya, June 14, 2025 – Evans Kiplagat and Collins Kiprono signaled their intent for national glory with commanding performances at the Nairobi Region Track and Field Championships held Saturday at the Nairobi West Prisons Grounds.
Kiplagat stormed to victory in the men’s 5,000m, clocking 14:07.5 to finish comfortably ahead of Reuben Longosiwa (14:12.1) and Joseph Mwangi (14:33.0).
Kiplagat said the win was part of his build-up towards the National Championships slated for June 26.
“The race was good. I was using the race to test if my body is ready for the national finals,” Kiplagat said.
He added that the Athletics Kenya (AK) weekend meets have played a pivotal role in boosting his endurance.
“I have been running in the AK weekend meetings in Kapsabet and Thika. In Kapsabet I finished fourth and in Thika I was fifth.”
“In those meetings my performance was not that good because I belive my training had not started paying divident,” he said.
Despite his fine form, Kiplagat remained guarded about his ambitions.
“I can’t make promises, but I’m hopeful for something good.”
Meanwhile, Mwangi was all smiles after a third-place finish, making a comeback from a four-month layoff due to a tendon injury.
“This was my first race since recovering. The body is responding well, though I still need to sharpen my speed,” Mwangi said.
“However I am glad that I was able to come here today and run well. I just need to sharpen my speed,” Mwangi said.
Mwangi is eyeing glory in the 10,000m at the national showdwon.
“As we go to the nationals I am confident that I will be able to do well. I was using this 5,000m race to test my speed and it’s not bad.”
“I will be running the 10,000m in the nationals and I belive in myself that I will be able to produce a good performance,” he added.
In the men’s 3,000m, Collins Kiprono was in a class of his own, powering to victory in 8:39.3. Shadrack Kiprotich (8:54.3) and Philip Ntuluma (8:54.7) followed in his wake.
Traditionally a 1,500m and 800m runner, Kiprono said his switch to the longer race was experimental, and promising.
“I started the 3,000m this year and I see its not bad. I was doing the 1,500m and 800m.”
“I wanted to explore more and see if I can be capable of going with it in the future,” he said.
In the junior categories, 17-year-old Emmanuel Lemiso impressed in the U-18 1,500m trials, winning in 3:58.2 ahead of Paul Meingati (4:11.3).
The Raila Educational Centre Form two student now shifts focus to the nationals, where he plans to double in the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase.
“The race today was good. I am pleased with the results, the weather was very good, the only challenge was the wind,” Lemiso said.
“In the nationals I will be running both the 1,500m and the 3,000m steeplechase
Lemiso hopes to fine-tune his barrier clearing in the 3,000m steeplechase.
“I want to focus on my barrier clearing befor the nationals.”
In the women’s U-20 800m trails, Nancy Jepngetich claimed victory in 2:14.3, narrowly ahead of Caren Chirchir (2:14.5) and Cynthia Jelagat (2:17.7).
“The race was good and I am glad I was able to claim victory. My target now is to ensure I secure victory in the National trials.”
