Lang’at, Chepkurui to lead Kenyans in Romania
Olympian Weldon Lang’at and Africa 5000m champion Sheila Chepkirui will lead a star- studded field in the Brasov Running Festival 10km, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race to be held on September 25 inTransylvania region of Romania. Lang’at broke the course record with the second fastest time ever in history at the Madrid Vintage Run held in Puente del Rey, Spain in June this year.He cut the tape with the fastest time ever seen in Madrid of 26:35.
He was followed later by his compatriot Michael Kibet who crossed the finish line twelve seconds later.
Ethiopia’s Yasin Haji Hayato closed the podium three finishes in 26:48.The 24-year-old ran a career best of 27:21 in Herzogenaurach in April this year. His compatriot Isaac Kibet Ndiema, who is a newcomer to road racing, achieved a time of 27:45 in his debut in Prague September 3. Ethiopia’s Mogos Tuemay is also one of the candidates for the title. The African champion in 10000m in June boasts of a 27:50 PB from last year.
The favourites will face strong competition at least from two other rivals. Alex George, the British European U20 champion in 2015, proved to be in good shape this year by running the 5000m in 13:33.25 in June. Benard Kibet Yegon, who has a PB of 13:44 in 5km, will debut in the longer distance in Brasov.Chepkirui is the most decorated runner on the women’s field. The Kenyan, who currently ranks 6th in the World Athletics Road Running rankings, bagged a World U18 Championships gold medal, an African Championships gold medal, and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in her successful career. The 31-year-old ran her best 10km with 29:46 in Valencia in 2020.Chepkirui, who finished seventh in 5,000m during the 2017 World Athletics Championships, failed to travel to Oregon due to a US visa hitch.
Chepkirui, who started with 1,500m to win the World Under-18 title in 2005 before settling for bronze in the same event in 2007, will certainly want something to console her after the Oregon debacle.In 2016 Chepkirui set a new championship record with victory in the women’s 5,000m final at the ongoing Africa Athletics Championships at Kings Park stadium in, Durban South Africa.The Kenya Defence Forces officer clocked 15 minutes and 05.45 seconds to erase the previous championships record time of 15:32.72 set by Ethiopia’ Almaz Ayana during the 2014 event in Marrakech.
Two other women in the line-up have bettered 31 minutes. Still a teenager, Kenyan Faith Cherono equalled the African U20 record by 30:50 in Herzogenaurach about four months ago. Cherono was placed third in Prague earlier this month with a time that is 2 seconds shy of her PB. Aberash Minsewo of Ethiopia, World U18 champion over 3000m in 2017, ran 30:58 in Lille last year when she debuted in road races.
Other contenders on the women’s side include Kenya’s Esther Borura (31:02), Ugandan Sarah Chelangat (31:11), as well as local favourite Stella Rutto (15:06:93 this year on 5000m)
Marathon legend Mary Keitany is the official ambassador of the race, and she will be in Brasov to witness the performances of the new road running stars. Brasov Running Festival comprises a variety of road races, the longest being the World Athletics Elite Label 10km scheduled for September 25. Other races include kids and junior’s races from 800m to 5000m.nic Wesonga and Amish Amin leaving the pitch for ducks following the deadly deliveries by Obuya team. After the break, Obuya Academy posted 147 runs for the loss of six wickets with Collins Obuya (58 runs off 88 balls) being the top-scorer. Aarnav Patel for Gymkhana had three wicket haul in the innings inside 44 runs.
In another thriller,Kanbis beat Sir Ali Muslim Club by 32 runs at Eastleigh High School. Kanbis set a total score of 279 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets with Sachin Bhudia (63 runs off 75 balls) was top-scorer with his contribution including six boundaries and two-sixes. Dhiren Gondaria (57 runs off 73 balls) was second in the numbers game with a staggering eight boundaries to his name. Sir Ali attack trio of Zahhid Abbas (2 wickets for 54 runs),Irfan Ellahi (2 wickets for 41 runs) and Pannu Singh (2 wickets for 48 balls) were the masterful bowlers who slowed down the run rat3e for the Kanbis team.
During the second innings, Kanbis was effective enough as they only allowed Sir Ali to post 237 runs. Mikunj Patel for Kanbis had a three wicket haul assisted by the trio of Emmanuel Bundi (2), Vinod Rabadiya (2) and Nischay Kerai (2).Sir Ali had Singh Pannu on a century of 123 runs off 89 balls as his contribution included 16 boundaries and a hat trick of sixes. Tarandeep Singh (35 runs off 43 balls) was second on the scorers list with Vinod Rabadiya being the man who dismissed the duo from the crease in the 39th and 46th overs.
