NAIROBI Kenya March 3- Rodgers Gesabwa won the men 10000m final as the Kenya Technical Training Institutions Sports Organization (Ketiso) National Athletics Championships entered their second day on Tuesday.
Gesabwa’s triumph in the 25-lap race was among those that gave Keroka Technical Training Institute that produced the World Cross silver winner, Paul Tanui, a lion’s share of the top medals at the competition run at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
He crossed the line in 29:09:00 well ahead of runner-up Mwengo Institute runner Thomas Chelanga who clocked 29:24.01 with fellow Keroka student Duke Moranga taking bronze in 29:45.06.
“It’s a bit sad that the tough challenge I was expecting in the race did not live to expectations since I found myself in the lead from the fifth lap as the other athletes took a back seat,” Gesabwa, first year IT student said.
Keroka was on song in the corresponding women’s 10000m final when Caroline Nyakana led the institution’s 1-2 by stopping the timer at 35:52.06 against 37:25.08 posted by silver winner Irene Mong’are.
Ruth Ndanu of Machakos nailed the last podium place in 38:21.06.
The winning institute stretched their dominance to the women 3000m water and barriers race with Everlyn Kwamboka sealed the win in 10:29.03 with Machakos runner Dorcas Nzembi (10:48.06) leading the challengers home as Jane Barmao of Kaiboi Institute (12:03.01) finished a further third.
“The race had a fewer number of athletes that I had anticipated, so I didn’t get anyone to push me as hard since I wanted to go under nine minutes but am glad I won for my school,” the final year automotive engineering student who is returning from a long spell of injury said after her win.
“I admire the world 5000 and 10000m champion, Vivian Cheruiyot and hope to emulate her and make history for my country one day”, the 20-year-old who hails from Nyamira added.
The event that brings together training institutes under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology is reputed to have discovered some talented athletes over the years among them Tanui and former women world marathon record holder Tegla Loroupe.
It is scheduled to end on Wednesday with the staging of both women and men 5000m finals and the 3000m steeplechase men finals.