Njoroge wins women's 1500m duel in Meru AK meet

Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist stepped up her Mercy Njoroge preparation for the Olympic Games and Africa Athletics trials with a fine run in the 1500m as the seventh and final National Bank of Kenya/ Athletics Kenya meeting began Friday at Kinoru Stadium in Meru.

Njoroge who led for most of the race clocked 4:28.2 minutes to win the women’s 1,500m ahead of Jedidah Wanjiru, who was timed at 4:29.2.

Nancy Kithure finished third in 4:31.7. Ann Wabera ran a tactical race, sticking with the leaders for most of the race before storming to the front with three laps to go and cross the line first in 35:35.3 in the women’s 10,000m race.

Helen Nzembi took second spot in 36:23.2 with Purity Kajuju third in 39:13.5. Wabera. Peter Mwololo won the men’s 10,000m in 29:13.1 with James Muriithi placing second in 30:07.6 and Mark Macharia third in 30:32.4.

Joyce Kidake was unbeaten in the women’s 400m which she won 56.3 seconds.Kidake beat her closest opponent Sharon Wafula to second place (57.2) with Jacinta Shikanda coming in third in 68.3 seconds. Mary Ndunge scooped the women’s title after returning 66.2 seconds ahead of Jacinta Shikanda (67.7) and Jentrix Nelima (70.0 sec) who were placed second and third positions respectively.

The men’s 800m-saw veteran Geoffrey Rono win his heat in 1:51.2. Daniel Masai was second in 1:54.4 while Moses Mathenge (1:59.9) and Mathew Korir (1:59.2) took third and fourth places respectively to qualify for Saturday’s final.

David Too took the second heat in a much faster time of 1:590.6 ahead of Michael Kinuthia, who clocked 1:50.9 and Jeremiah Kinuthia who was timed at 1:51.4.

Other Results-Shot put (men) : 1. Richard Metet (14.59m), 2. Kipsang Rotich (14.14m)), 3. Erick Malemo (13.92m); Discuss (men): 1. Richard Metet (46.94m), 2. Kipsang Rotich (44.50m), 3. David Terer (42.44m); Javelin (women): Jemimah Ndani (41.87m), 2. Mary Mugure (41.07m), 3. Jendricks Nelima (34.65m); TripleJump ( women): 1. Purity Nyongesa (10.80m), 2.Caroline Cherotich (10.0m), 3. Jacinta Shikanda (9.11m.

Sportsnewsarena Correspondent

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