NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15, 2025 – The arduous and exciting Road to Tokyo World Championships continued on Thursday with the sixth leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field Weekend Meeting at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi.
With the Kip Keino Classic World Continental Tour Gold on the horizon, athletes turned up in droves to intensify their preparations in the various disciplines.
It was a day for the youngsters to grab the headlines with Festus Kimorwo and Sharon Chepkemoi shining in the men’s 5000m and women’s 3000m steeplechase, respectively.
Kimorwo stopped the timer at 13:42.74 to win the 12-and-a-half-lap race, outrunning Silas Senchura who had to make peace with a second-place finish – clocking 13:44.95.
Pasanjo Gitonga took third place in 13:49.15.
Kimorwo says the win gives him the drive to do better at the Kip Keino Classic on May 31, where he will be competing in the 10,000m.
“It was the perfect race and it gives me a lot of motivation heading into the Kip Keino Classic where I want to run in the men’s 10,000m. I am hoping to do better than my current personal best (PB) of 29:09.90,” the Sinoin Athletics Camp runner said.
It was sweet revenge for the youngster who finished second at the fifth leg of the series – also held at the same venue – when he clocked his PB in the men’s 10,000m behind Sentura who took top honours.
The two will lock horns at the Kip Keino Classic once again and judging by Sentura’s post-race comments on Thursday, a tantalising contest awaits on the material day.
“I will be running in the men’s 10,000m at Kip Keino Classic…today I ran in the men’s 5000m because it was the only one on offer. However, before Kip Keino, I want to work on my speed and endurance because I feel like that’s what failed me today,” the Lemotit Athletics Camp runner remarked.
Lemotit’s day of glory
There was more joy for Lemotit in the women’s 3000m steeplechase where Chepkemoi led a podium sweep after clocking 9:57.27.
She was followed in second place by World Under 20 bronze medalist Diana Chepkemoi who timed 9:58.97 as Anastasia Cheptoo clocked 10:11.39 to take third.
The win notwithstanding, Sharon admitted she could have done better.
“The heat was very intense and I had to battle hard to cross the finish line first. I could have done better with the time I posted but I am hopeful of doing better when I run at the Kip Keino Classic,” she said.
The winner was delighted to share the podium with her training mates.
“It was all about team work from the start to the finish. We have been training together and I know the two have been working hard so it makes me happy to share the podium with both of them,” Sharon said.
Second-place finisher Diana was equally delighted with the performance on the day.
“It is a good performance we all put in to ensure the podium sweep. I am happy for my training mates and also happy that our team work and strategy bore fruits today,” she said.
The competition continues on Friday with more races on the cards.