Lagat silences critics as Soi sets new record

Erratic in Doha a fortnight ago, Olympic 1,500m women champion Nancy Jebet Lagat should be dismissed at own peril.

Lagat, who said her season was just picking up, sent a strong message to her rivals and critics by winning both the four-lap race and the 800m race as the Armed Forces Athletics Championships ended on Saturday at the Moi International Sports centre, Kasarani.

An eighth finisher in Doha, Lagat returned to add another feather to her cap at the military championship, as she stopped the clock at 4:24.1, which was over 24 seconds slower than her personal best time of 4:00.23.

Lagat, however was forced to sweat to reclaim the title by Iness Chenonge 4:24.7 while former World Junior 3,000m champion Veronica Nyaruai came in a distant third in 4:25.7. Colleta Chepchirchir 4:26.7 and Jackline Chirchir 4:29.7 were fourth and fifth respectively.

At the 800m distance, she cruised with ease to a 2:10.3 victory. She forced Jane Chelagat to second slot in 2:12.1 while Charity Wandia settled for third after 2:12.5. Kenya Navy’s Nelly Cheptanui from Mtongwe was fourth in 2:12.8.

Personal best

However, officials will have to wait for Athletics Kenya to ratify the time set in the 100m as new boy Kipkemei Soi stunned the crowd when he clocked an impressive 10.0 in the hand timed system.

On Saturday, Soi had posted 10.2, which equals the World Championship qualifier time.

However, his new time is likely to be dismissed, according to head coach Julius Kirwa.

“We did not use the electronic time. It had been hand held times. We will see what comes of it,” said Kirwa.

Soi of Kahawa Barracks set a new Armed Forces record as he edged out team mate Wallance Mwaura 10.3, while Thomas Musinde from Mutongwe, with Kenya Navy was a frustrated man in third slot after 10.5.

It means, Musinde, whose personal best stands at 10.3 will have to wait for the national championships next month to see if he can register the 10.21 time to be considered for the World Championship.

Posted slower time

Soi was happy to beat the Armed Forces champion, Musinde.

“I plan to raise the bar. But I need my colleagues to co-orperate so that we can improve the national time,” said Soi. Musinde, though beaten, was upbeat.

“Soi was stronger and deserved to win. I don’t know what happened, I trained hard for these games. Now the focus turns to the national championships,” said Musinde.

In the women 5,000m, Lineth Chepkurui running for Moi Airbase retained her title for the second season in a row, a day after she had wrapped up the 10,000m title.

The in-form long distance runner, fourth at the 8km in the World Cross Country Championship in Amman, Jordan, posted a slower time of 15:58.1 to edge out team mate Iness Chenonge 15:59.4 while Peninah Arusei of Thika was third in 16:06.6. Former World 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio was fourth in 16:18.4 ahead of Mercy Njoroge of Laikipia Airbase 16:48.4.

“Everything went according to plan. I’m now looking forward to the national championships. Moving from road to track was a challenge but I’ve adapted,” said Chepkurui.

World Military Games 10,000m champion Mark Kiptoo, edged out Joseph Ebuya to win the 5,000m men race in 13:38.3.

Ebuya, a new recruit was rewarded with second slot in 13:38.5 in a close contest decided in the last five metres. Vincent Kiprop, a 2007 world cross country silver medallist in Mombasa, was third in 13:39.2 ahead of Nathan Langat 13:42.3.