NAIROBI, Kenya, 13 May – Kenyan athletes dominated middle and long distance races at the 2023 Kip Keino Classic – World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting – on Saturday, setting world leads, meeting records and winning several events.
In the men’s 800m, Emmanuel Wanyonyi won in a world-leading time of 1:43.32. Wanyonyi, who won a world U20 gold medal on the same track in 2021 and secured the victory here at the Moi International Sports Centr last year, beat Wycliffe Kinyamal by 0.34 seconds. Timothy Cheruiyot, world 1500m champion in 2019, finished third in 1:44.99.
In the men’s 1500m, Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot also won in a world-leading time. Cheruiyot, who won a world U20 title in the event in 2021, ran a new personal best of 3:32.01 to beat his countryman Abel Kipsang by 0.70 seconds. Vincent Keter (KEN) finished third in 3:36.92.
Daniel Ebenyo won the men’s 10,000m in 28:09.93, finishing ahead of Edwin Seko in 28:30.05 and Stanley Njihia in 28:30.61. – Read more: Sha’Carri Richardson toys with competitors in 200m at 2023 Kip Keino Classic
Meanwhile, Amos Kirui won the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 8:18.45, finishing ahead of Abraham Kibiwott in 8:19.71 and Leornard Bett in 8:20.02. Leonard Chemutai of Uganda ran a lifetime best of 8:23.53 for fourth place.
In the women’s 5000m, Beatrice Chebet won in 15:15.85, ahead of Margaret Chelimo and Judith Kiyeng. Mary Moraa took first place in the women’s 800m in 1:58.83, ahead of Netsanet Desta (2:00.14) of Ethiopia and Vivian Chebet Kiprotich (2:00.54 PB).
Beatrice Chepkoech won the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 9:13.51, ahead of Faith Cherotich and Jackline Chepkoech.
Elsewhere, Janat Chemusto of Uganda set a personal best with 4:01.79 to run away with the women’s 1500m, beating Nelly Chepchirchir of Kenya, and Ethiopia’s Hawi Abera, who also ran personal bests of 4:04.56 and 4:06.15 for second and third, respectively.
The Kip Keino Classic was the third World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting of the season. The next meeting is the 2023 Seiko Golden Grand Prix and will be held at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan on May 21.
The Kip Keino Classic is named after Kenya’s legendary runner Kip Keino, who won two Olympic gold medals and a pair of silver medals in 1968 and 1972. Keino was a pioneer of distance running and his legacy continues to inspire athletes in Kenya an indeed all around the world.
