Machakos, Kenya – Samuel Ndung’u and Mary Wacera continued their winning ways in Athletics Kenya’s second weekend cross country meeting of the 2006/07 season which took place in Machakos, 60km south of the capital Nairobi on Saturday (18). Both junior athletes were victorious in Nairobi two weeks ago.
Juniors shine
For Ndung’u this victory was an improvement from last year when he finished second in Machakos. Today Ndung’u and his junior colleagues actually ran extra distance completing a 10km route following confusion by the lap scorers. But this did not bother Ndung’u who said it was an opportunity to test his endurance.
Ndung’u clocked 30:51 in a sprint tussle with Nicholas Makau (30:55), and Nzau Mwangangi was third in 31:19.
The World Junior 5000 metres bronze medallist Mary Wacera led team mate Veronica Njeri to victory in the junior women’s 6km race. The fast developing and consistent Wacera was sixth in Machakos last year, and she was impressive today with the way she controlled the pace before striking for the win in the last 100m, furiously chased home by Njeri. The winner clocked 20:20 with Njeri marginally behind in 20:21.
Seniors
Bernard Kiragu who was sixth in Nairobi won today’s senior men’s race in 38:17 after a sprint finish on a wet and slippery course based at a local secondary school playingfield. Julius Kiringa of Laikipia Air Base was second in 38:22, followed by team mate Mark Kiptoo in 38:29.
Kiragu is from the same Mfae Club, based at high altitude in Nyahururu, which is nurturing the talents of Ndung’u and Wacera.
In the women’s race, the winner from the opening race in Nairobi, Milicent Gathoni was beaten into sixth place. Local girl Nzamba Musyoka beat the field of 60, winning in 28:35. She was comfortably well ahead with 2km to go.
The wet surface following a heavy downpour overnight affected the performance of second placed Joyce Wanjiku of Esmi who clocked 28:48, followed by Monica Wangare (29:06).
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Results
Senior men:
12km
1. Bernard Kiragu, Mfae, 38:17
2. Julius Kiringa, Lab, 38:22
3. Mark Kiptoo, Lab, 38:29
4. David Kipkemoi, Individual, 38:36
5. Joel Saitoti, Gsu, 38:39
6. Daniel Cheruyiot, Nyahururu, 38:43.
Junior men 10km:
1. Samuel Ndung’u, Mfae, 30:51
2. Nicholas Makau, Machakos, 30:55
3. Nzau Mwangangi, Machakos, 31:14
4. Musyoka Musyoka, Machakos, 31:21
5. Koech Kimweitch, Esmi, 31:27
6. Martin Mukule, Machakos, 31:35
Senior women
8km:
1. Nzamba Musyoka, Machakos, 28:35
2. Joyce Wanjiku, Esmi, 28:48
3. Monica Wangare, Mfae, 29:06
4. Jackline Nthanga, Elite, 29:08
5. Mary Ngendo, Mfae, 29:10
6. Milicent Gathoni, Mfae, 29:12
Junior women 6km:
1. Mary Wacera, Mfae, 20:20
2. Veronica Njeri, Mfae, 20:21
3. Pauline Mutua, Machakos, 20:28
4. Catherine Wanjiru, Mfae, 20:53
5. Susan Wairimu, Mfae, 20:56
6. Lucia Kimeme, Machakos, 21:00