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NAIROBI, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) – Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot, Great Britain’s Helen Obiri and Kristal Awuah produced the highlights of the Kip Keino Classic, a meeting of the Gold of the World Continental Tour in Athletics held in the capital on Saturday, Nairobi.
In the men’s 1,500m race, world leader Cheruiyot fought his compatriot Kumari Taki in a fierce home fight to claim victory in three minutes and 34.31 seconds in front of 2000 spectators who were allowed entry under the protocols of COVID-19 control.
Taki crossed the line in 3: 35.00 ahead of Abel Kipsang (3: 35.43).
“I ran the race well despite not being fully fit. I have a hamstring injury that I want to handle when I take a break, this being the last event this season. It feels good to finish the season with a tone winner, especially at home, having won the Diamond League races in Monaco and Stockholm.
“It has been a great season for me and I am hopeful that everything will go well next year as I focus on the Tokyo Olympics,” Cheruiyot said after her victory.
The 5,000m world champion Obiri maintained her unbeaten streak this season by winning the women’s race in 15: 06.36.
The 10,000 meter world bronze medalist Agnes Tirop from Kenya was second in 15: 11.11 while Margaret Kemboi also from Kenya took third place in 15: 13.38. Ethiopian Tsigie Gebreselama (15: 19.79) was fourth.
In the women’s 200-meter sprint, Britain’s Awuah, who finished fourth in last week’s Doha Diamond meet, set 23:05 for her new personal best to beat Egypt’s Hemida Bassant, who fell 23.13 in the second place. Roda Njobvu from Zimbabwe was third in 23:18.
“This was, to say the least, one of my toughest races. The altitude took its toll on me and just took my breath away. I can’t remember much of the race. I’m happy to win in such conditions in my personal best time. I’m just saying it was a solid performance and I’m happy to finish my season with a win. I’ll take two weeks off before starting my winter preparations, “said Awuah.
The corresponding men’s 200 meters, Sinesipho Dambile, beat pre-race favorite Arthur Cisse of the Ivory Coast to win the event in 20.44 seconds. Cisse crossed the line 20.53 seconds ahead of Dane Tazan Kamanga.
The Kip Keino Classic was the seventh and final leg of the inaugural meeting of the Continental Tour Gold. Final product
