World Cross silver medallist claims Berlin ticket after winning 10,000m

By Mutwiri Mutuota

World Cross silver medallist Linet Masai claimed her Berlin ticket with an emphatic display in the women’s 10,000m final/Trials on the second day of New KCC/AK National Championships.
The Police runner broke away from a leading pack of seven with six and a half laps to go and then surged clear of competition 400m later to clinch the race in 32:49.3.
Armed Forces runner and fourth finisher at Amman World Cross, Lineth Chepkurui battled the pain barrier on her right ankle for the second automatic slot in 32:57.3.
Chepkurui charged away from third-placed Sotokoto Safari Marathon winner Philes Ongori (33:04.1) in the last 300m, while Olympic Games 18th finisher, Peninah Arusei (33:16.9) was fourth.
"I feel happy to represent Kenya for my first World Championships," Masai, 20 told reporters adding, "I will try my best to perform well."
The women’s squad is to be confirmed today with Ongori and Arusei leading the queue in the third slot for Berlin.
Conspicuously missing from the event were World Cross champion, Florence Kiplagat, last year’s Beijing Trials winner, Lucy Kabuu and Africa bronze medallist, Grace Momanyi.
Kiplagat shifted interest to the 5,000m race at the July 25 Berlin Trials while Kabuu and Momanyi are out injured.
The keenly awaited 4X400m women’s relay heats was cancelled at the last minute when only eight teams lined up for the start meaning it will be straight final today.
Nyayo Stadium was abuzz when women Olympic champions, Pamela Jelimo (800m) and Nancy Jebet Lagat (1,500m) lined-up to represent their Police and Armed Forces teams only to be directed back to the call room.
In the men’s steeplechase semi finals, Athens Olympics champion, Ezekiel Kemboi finished second in his semi in 8:36.1 but was later disqualified and is out of today’s final.
Africa junior champion Abel Mutai, Michael Bor (Prisons) and Peter Matheka (Southern) were also disqualified at the same race where Africa champion, Richard Mateelong (8:37.4) who placed third was elevated to winner.
Four-time World Athletics Final winner, Paul Kipsiele Koech barely qualified for the final after finishing fifth (8:37.5) in the other semi.
Africa 800m champion, David Lekuta Rudisha (1:46.2) and fourth finisher at the same event in Addis Ababa, Jackson Kivuva (1:46.8) won the men’s two-lap semis.