Mathew Samperu dominates men’s 10,000m race as AK new season gets underway

Naivasha based Mathew Samperu braved stiff opposition to win the 10,000m Men’s final on day one of the 1st AK track and field weekend meeting held at the Nyayo national stadium, Nairobi.

The first heat was a battle between Naivasha based Mathew Samperu, Isaac Kipkemboi, and Nyahururu based Pius Karanja.

The trio took charge of the race from the onset exchanging the lead on several occasions. Samperu outsprinted Kipkemboi to cross the line in 29 minutes 04 seconds.

The men’s 10,000m final saw 54 athletes’ line up in three heats all eyeing the title.

Kipkemboi came in second while Karanja completed the podium dash. Maximilla Imali, Eunice Kadogo and Doreen Waka were unstoppable in the women’s 100m heats.

In the women’s 5,000m race youngster Rebecca Mwangi was no match for her peers as she cut the tape first in 15:25.56 to win the race ahead of Sandra Felis Chebet and Sheila Jepkirui who wound up in second and third positions respectively.

Sandrafelis clocked 15:25.90 as Jepkirui timed15:28.61

Rebecca who trains in Nyandarua said she is targeting to clinch the ticket to the world championship scheduled for July in Oregon,USA.

“I am very happy to have beaten several big names in today’s final, I will go back to Japan to continue with my training as I target going to the world championship’’, Shge said.

Meanwhile, the two day meet saw a record 17 heats in the men’s 100m.

The 2st AK track and field weekend meeting is slated for 19th January in Kisumu.