The senior women’s leaders, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan athlete
The senior women’s leaders, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan athlete
This is Justin Lagat’s piece on the Athletics Kenya
As the debate on whether Adidas or Nike has the best shoe technology rages, Mercy Jepkemoi who was running barefooted in the girls’ under 18 category caused some excitement when she opened up a huge gap to win her race against those running in the latest shoes and apparel.
Mercy Jepkemoi running barefooted to win the under 18 year category, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan Athlete
Not sure whether it was because the runners in the region had missed the opportunity to run for a while and wanted to put all their efforts in the rare opportunity, or that it had been long since fans watched a live race and were excited to witness the races here at the Koitalel Samoei University grounds in Nandi; but the atmosphere was electric and emotional especially in the senior men’s 10 kilometer race.
The senior men’s race, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan AthleteThe conditions were tough. Under the hot afternoon sun, a runner in the chasing pack of three runners kept raising his hand and gesturing for anyone to help him with some water to drink. At some point, he tried to snatch a bottle from one of the fans beside the course, but the bottle just slipped through his fingers and fell on the ground. Fans noticed it and he was eventually handed some water amid cheers from the spectators who were relieved to see him sorted.
At the front, Daniel Simiu had taken an early lead in the race, often glancing back at the corners as though to watch how and also enjoy the race unfolding behind him.
The senior men’s race, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan AthleteThe heat finally caught up with Simiu in the last 2 km lap and the chasers began to quickly close his gap. Charles Yosei was the first one to catch up with him, and for some time he tried to act like his shadow. The guy who had pleaded for water to drink was also finally re-energized and was rapidly closing the gap on the two. Yosei noticed it and increased the speed leaving Simiu who was soon overtaken by other runners behind them as well to struggle alone.
The Athletics Kenya XC, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan Athlete The senior men’s race, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan AthleteYosei went ahead to win the race in 30:38 ahead of the thirsty Venus Kipleting who was quickly closing the gap to finish in 30:40. Nicholas Kimeli took the third position as the struggling Simiu faded to fourth position.
Simiyu leading before getting overtaken in the last lap, photo by Justin Lagat / Kenyan AthleteSheila Jelagat won a similarly competitive women’s 10 km senior race in 34:25 ahead of Joyce Jepkemboi in 34:28 and Gladys Jepkirui in 34:42.
Since 2013, Justin Lagat has written for RunBlogRun. His weekly column is called A view from Kenya. Justin writes about the world of Kenyan athletics on a weekly basis and during championships, provides us additional insights into the sport.
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by Justin Lagat
