Athletics: Kasait takes 5000m honours as Kosgei, Koech triumph in steeplechase

Former world cross country champion Lilian Kasait was a cut above the rest as she clocked 15:01.37 in the women’s 5000m at the Athletics Kenya 2023 national championships.

Up against world 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, in the national championship final, Kasait's finishing kick proved superior as she piped the Kenya Police athlete who clocked 15:01.78 to win the title for Prisons. 

South Rift's Janet Chepngetich managed 15:07.55 to win the battle for third place against Mirriam Chepkech who came home in 15:07.75. 

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"It had been a good race and good build up as we head to the World Championships trials. I will sit with the coach, who was watching my race, and come up with training schedule that will address the areas that need improving before the trials," offered Kasait.

In steeplechase, World cross country bronze medalist Pamela Kosgei picked up from where she had left in the heats, putting up stellar show to win in 9:35.25 ahead of Caren Chebet (9:35.68) who led a Prisons 2-3 finish as Fancy Cherono (9:36.99) made the podium. 

"I had come here to win and improve on my time from what I had posted in the heats and I am impressed. Now the focus turns to making Team Kenya to the world championships and that means finishing on the podium during the trials. 

This was my second time competing against the seniors on track and it will be my first time to be in the trials with them but I am training with that in mind. 

The competition is really tough and I believe it will take a bit more than what I have done today to qualify," Kosgei who is likely to go head to head with the world record holder in the distance at the trials said. 

In the men's steeplechase, Kenya Defence Forces' (KDF) Simon Koech obliterated the field in the final lap, clocking 8:26.58 for the win. 

Former World Under-20 silver medalist Leonard Bett timed 8:29.86 for second place as Mathew Kipkosgei came home in 8:31.23 to complete the podium and deny Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwott and Benjamin Kigen who finished fourth and fifth respectively.