The journey toward the Tokyo World Championships gained momentum on Thursday with the sixth leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field Weekend Meeting, held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
With the prestigious Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Gold meet set for May 31, the event drew a large turnout of athletes eager to impress—and it was the youngsters who stole the show.
In the men’s 5000m, Festus Kimorwo emerged victorious in a tightly contested race, stopping the clock at 13:42.74. He edged out Silas Senchura, who finished second in 13:44.95, while Pasanjo Gitonga completed the podium in 13:49.15.
The win was particularly satisfying for Kimorwo, who had finished second behind Senchura in the men’s 10,000m at the fifth leg of the series.
With both athletes set to face off again in the 10,000m at the Kip Keino Classic, another exciting duel is expected.
The women’s 3000m steeplechase was equally thrilling, with Sharon Chepkemoi of Lemotit leading a Kenyan podium sweep. She claimed top honors in 9:57.27, followed closely by World U20 bronze medallist Diana Chepkemoi in 9:58.97, while Anastasia Cheptoo secured third in 10:11.39.
Diana praised her teammates after the race, saying:
“It’s a good performance from all of us. I’m proud of our teamwork and how our strategy paid off. A clean sweep is always special.”
Action resumes on Friday with more events lined up as athletes continue to sharpen their form ahead of major international assignments.
