Former African 20km race walk champion Samuel Gathimba eased to victory in the 15km final as the curtains came down on the 4th AK/Betika Track and Field Weekend meet at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium on Saturday.
Experienced Gambia from Prison stopped the clock in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 12 seconds, 15 seconds ahead of Albert Mwenda of Nairobi, while Nathan Kibet from South Rift finished a distant 3rd in 1:3:44.
Wilberforce Kones of Police emerged victorious in the men’s 3,000msc in 8:45 minutes, followed by North Rifts duo Peter Langat and Wesley Ronoh, in 2nd and 3rd positions, posting 8:46.6 and 8:54.1 minutes, respectively.
Simon Mungai from Central won the 5,000m in 13 minutes 30.9 seconds, followed closely by Dennis Kemboi from Konoin Athletics Camp, 5.3 seconds behind, while Festus Kaptum from Sinoin Camp,completed the podium positions, stopping the clock in 13:43.8 minutes.
256 athletes competed in the 12.5 laps race, the biggest turnout since the beginning of the track weekend meets this season.
Aron Chemingwa clocked 1:45.1 minutes to claim victory in the 800m, 0.5 seconds ahead of Shadrack Kimtai, who finished 2nd, while Dominic Kiptoo came home 3rd, 1 second behind the winner.
Caren Chepchirchir, representing Nala Athletics Club, won the 1,500m men’s final in 4 minutes 15.9 seconds, relegating the hot favourite Rebecca Mwangi to 2nd place in 4:16.7, while Naomi Korir, settled for 3rd position in 4:17.8 minutes.
Sheila Chepkosgei from Nairobi won the 800m final in 2:1.1 minutes ahead of Purity Chepkurui and Naumglorious Chepchumba, who took 2nd and 3rd positions in 2:1.5 and 2:1.9 minutes, respectively.
The meet brought together over 2,000 athletes and was the last inter-county track and field championship before the action returns to Nairobi for the 5th meet.
