Kip Keino Classic: Ebenyo dominates to bag 10,000m title

Commonwealth Games silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo was a cut above the rest as he clocked 28:09.94 to win men's 10,000m in the fourth Kip Keino Classic. 

Ebenyo, a clear favourite pre-race stayed with the leading pack in the opening laps which were a cagey affair but split the field into two nonetheless. 

Herman Timothy beats world-class field to win men's Javelin in meeting record

Halfway through the race, the pack had been reduced to about 12 athletes with Ebenyo exchanging leads with Nyahururu-based Stanley Njihia who looked strong.

With eight laps to go, the leading pack was down to five with Ebenyo clear and when he kicked with four laps left, there was no catching him as he put over 50m between him and second-placed Njihia. 

"It was a huge honour running in front of my home fans. Thank you so much to the fans for coming out in numbers. 

Today, I was relaxed. Two weeks ago, I was in Istanbul, and shifting from 5,000m to 10,000 was to build endurance. I am just focusing on Budapest now and all the races are part of my preparations," Ebenyo, fresh from winning the Istanbul half marathon in a time of 59:52 on 30 April, said. 

"Winning today is just an indication of a good season and I'm happy that I have started well. My plan is to make sure I'm in the finals at the World Championships because that's the climax of the track season," he added.

Njihia looked strong enough to hold on for second place but Edwin Kipkemoi had other ideas as he came charging on the home straight to get second in 28:30.05 as the former settled for third in 28:30.61. 

"I am just from racing on the road in France and Italy and I arrived here on Tuesday for this race. I did not give my body enough time to rest and so a podium place was really not in my mind. I happy with the time and now I shift my focus to other races in France," Njihia offered.