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Incredible performances by Kenyans at Pre-Fontaine Classic

There were earth Shattering performances by Kenyan distance runners at the 2017 PreFontaine classic at Hayward field in Oregon USA. Most notable was newcomer Celliphine Chespol.

Chespol Stuns with world junior record

 

Eighteen year old Celliphine Chespol stunned the gathered crowd with a performance for the ages. She won on commanding fashion, clocking 8:58.78 which is the second fastest time in history, the fastest time of 2017 and a new world youth record. And she accomplished this despite having to stop and adjust her shoes after the water jump.

Three weeks ago in Shanghai, Chespol showed her potential when she challenged Olympic Champion Ruth Jebet and world champion Hyvin Kiyeng. On Friday at Hayward field, Chespol finally announced her arrival. She gives Kenya real hope of winning gold at this event at the 2017 world championships. Prior to the Pre-Fontaine race, Ruth Jebet, who is now running for Bahrain had been the strong favourite.

Beatrice Chepkoech was second in an impressive time of 9:00.70 which rockets her to fifth in the all time list. Kenya now has a very strong cadre of female steeplechasers.

Race Video

Race Results

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Celliphine Chepteek Chespol  KEN 8:58.78
2 Beatrice Chepkoech  KEN 9:00.70
3 Ruth Jebet  BRN 9:03.52
4 Emma Coburn  USA 9:07.96
5 Courtney Frerichs  USA 9:19.09
6 Purity Cherotich Kirui  KEN 9:20.07
7 Gesa Felicitas Krause  GER 9:20.32
8 Stephanie Garcia  USA 9:25.04
9 Geneviève Lalonde  CAN 9:33.95
10 Mel Lawrence  USA 9:39.32
Caroline Chepkurui Tuigong  KEN DNF

 

Ronald Kwemoi with an impressive win in the mile

Ronald Kwemoi won the Bowerman mile in impressive fashion, beating a string field that included heavyweights like Asbel Kiprop, Elijah Manangoi, Silas Kiplagat and Ayanleh Souleiman. Kenyans occupied the top four positions. The only question for Kwemoi now is whether he should focus on the mile or the 5000m. He has recorded impressive performances in both events.

Race Video

Results

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK Points
1 Ronald Kwemoi  KEN 3:49.04 8
2 Elijah Motonei Manangoi  KEN 3:49.08 7
3 Timothy Cheruiyot  KEN 3:49.64 6
4 Vincent Kibet  KEN 3:51.17 5
5 Clayton Murphy  USA 3:51.99 4
6 Abdalaati Iguider  MAR 3:52.77 3
7 Ben Blankenship  USA 3:53.04 2
8 Filip Ingebrigtsen  NOR 3:53.23 1
9 Bethwell Kiprotich Birgen  KEN 3:53.50
10 Charlie Grice  GBR 3:53.62
11 Ryan Gregson  AUS 3:56.90
12 Silas Kiplagat  KEN 3:57.59
13 Asbel Kiprop  KEN 3:58.24
Elijah Kipchirchir Kiptoo  KEN DNF
Andrew Kiptoo Rotich  KEN DNF
Ayanleh Souleiman  DJI DNF

 

Kipyegon wins in commanding fashion

Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon was quite simply peerless in the women’s 1500m. She broke away from the field with 200 metres to go and the rest of the field had no answer. Behind her, Hellen Obiri made a late charge to beat Laura Muir of Great Britain and grab second place.

Race Video

Race Results

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon  KEN 3:59.67
2 Hellen Onsando Obiri  KEN 4:00.46
3 Laura Muir  GBR 4:00.47
4 Rababe Arafi  MAR 4:01.75
5 Gudaf Tsegay  ETH 4:01.78
6 Brenda Martinez  USA 4:03.56
7 Kate Grace  USA 4:03.59
8 Jennifer Simpson  USA 4:04.16
9 Shannon Rowbury  USA 4:04.61
10 Sofia Ennaoui  POL 4:05.74
11 Shelby Houlihan  USA 4:06.43
12 Linden Hall  AUS 4:07.37
13 Laura Weightman  GBR 4:10.50
Dana Mecke  USA DNF

Margaret Wambui with an impressive effort

Olympic bronze medalist Margaret Wambui Nyairera, pushed South Africa’s Caster Semenya much more than any other athlete has. In the end, Semenya won in 1:57.78 while Wambui was only 10 hundreths of a second behind.
 


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