Exciting talent displayed as Nyandarua hosts track, field championships

Africa Under-20 bronze medalist Gilbert Rono and upcoming athlete Zebedayo Larapu clocked fast times in the 1500m and 5,000m races respectively during the Nyandarua County track and field championships held at the weekend.

Rono a 1500m medalist at the African Under-20 championships held in Zambia last month led from gun to tape to win his specialty in a time of 3:47.0 during the championships held at the grass surface Ol Joroorok stadium in Nyandarua West sub county.

Behind him were Amason Kireu and Nicholas Kiprono 3:51.0 and 3:56.9 respectively.

Larapu clocked personal best of 14:18.0 in the 5,000m men event after setting high pace that saw all top six finishers go under 14 minutes.

Antony Pareio and Shdrasck Kentuiya took second and third positions behind Larapu in 14:38.0 and 14:39.28 respectively.

Yvonne Chepchirchir, 16:13.7, Christine Chesiro 16:24.5 and Mary Njau 17:08.9 finished in that in the women 5,000m race.

Nicholas Kipchumba and Fredrick Mweti kept exchanging lead in the men 10,000m before the former prevailed in 29:53. Mweti took second position in 29:59 and Justin Sosio was third 30:40.

The completion was for picking a team to represent the County in the Central Region track and field completion set for Thika in Kiambu County at the weekend.

Speaking during the competition at Ol Joroorok stadium, Sports Executive Catherine Gitau urged the athletes to pursue clean sport by avoiding doping.

“Let’s maintain disciple in the sport and run clean,” she advised the selected members of the team.

The chief officer in the department, Peter Kariuki said from next financial year, the County will be holding all sports included competition for people living with disabilities.