Mercy Cherono in 1,500m final at AK meet

Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono was the star attraction at the fourth edition of Athletics Kenya track and field meeting that started on Friday at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

The 25-year-old Cherono, who is the 2013 world 5,000m silver medallist, set Afraha Stadium ablaze when she won the first 1,500m semi-final in 4min,21.1secs to book a slot in Saturday’s final.

“I am happy to have won the race. I hope I will maintain the tempo and win the remaining two AK weekend meetings in Eldoret and Nairobi,” said Cherono after crossing the finishing line.

QUICK RACE

Irene Chemutai finished second after clocking 4:21.7, while Eva Cherono came home third in 4:24.6 in the fast-paced race.

Viola Kibiwott won the women’s 10,000m contest in 34:57.7 ahead of Emily Chebet of Londiani (35:15.6) while Sandra Chebet came home third in 35:26.1.

In the women’s 100m semi-finals, Catherine Nandi of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) emerged the winner in 12.3 seconds, with Eunice Kadogo of Prisons (12.4) and Jane Njoki (12.5) finishing second and third respectively.

Jacinta Shikanta of Kenya Police Service won her 400m semi-final race, after beating Millicent Ndoro and Noris Tomas in that order.

Morine Chelangat of Prison won women’s 400m hurdles in 1 minute and 8 seconds, followed by Jane Chege of KDF (1:01.5) while Priscila Dabunda, also of KDF, wound up third in 1:04.3.

In the men’s 100m semis, Morris Wasike led his KDF teammates to a 1-2-3 sweep. Walter Omwenga and Silas Gichugi wound up second and third respectively.

In men’s shot put competition, Manase Ochieng of Administration Police (AP) emerged victorious in the semi-finals after throwing 15.58 metres while Boaz Monyanja of Naivasha (15.55) and Benson Maina of KDF (14.42m) came second and third respectively.

The two-day event ends on Saturday with the finals.