Commonwealth Games: Chepkoech delivers second gold for Kenya

Former World Under-20 3000m steeplechase Jackline Chepkoech, is the Commonwealth Games champion in the distance, having destroyed her field to clinch victory in a Games Record. 

The 18-year old who elected not to defend her title at the ongoing junior championship in Cali, Colombia and instead moved to the senior ranks timed 9:15.68 in a dominant performance. 

Right from the gun, Chepkoech, as if reading from the script of her successor in the world junior event who had earlier destroyed the field for gold Faith Cherotich, zoomed to the front and with her went Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai. 

The two East Africans exchanged leads throughout the race, leaving the rest of the field to fight for bronze but calamity struck for the Ugandan in the penultimate lap as she tripped on a hurdle and fell, allowing Chepkoech to gain build a comfortable lead and go on to win. 

"I did not know I could win this so this came as a surprise. I am happy and grateful to God. The plan was to make it an honest pace for myself regardless of who goes with me. 

When Chemutai went with me, I remained calm and decided I will not wait until the last lap to kick. 

The plan was to kick earlier and create a gap between us. When she fell I did not even realise it until much later," offered Chepkoech who was the sole Kenyqn representative in the race after injury ruled Celliphine Chespol out last minute.

The fall slowed down Chemutai who was clearly hurting on the home straight and this allowed Elizabeth Bird to charge for silver in a personal best time of 9:17.79 while the Ugandan earned bronze, clocking 9:23.24.

This was Kenya's second gold at the Club Games, the first having been delivered by African champion and record holder in 100m Ferdinand Omanyala in another dominant performance.