Kip Keino Classic: Uganda's Sarah Chelangat makes history with commanding 5000m victory
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 31.05.25. | 16:31
Kenya’s Maurine Jepkoech Chebor, the pre-race favourite, finished second in 15:14.57
Sarah Chelangat made history on Saturday at the Kip Keino Classic, becoming the first Ugandan woman to win the 5000m on Kenyan soil with a dominant gun-to-tape performance.
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Chelangat stopped the clock at 15:03.33, powering away from the field after the third lap and never looking back in a race that lacked its usual tactical twists, thanks to her relentless pace.
Kenya’s Maurine Jepkoech Chebor, the pre-race favourite, finished second in 15:14.57.
Ethiopia’s Mamite Gemene secured third place with a time of 15:21.25 to close the podium.
The Kenyan contingent featured heavily in the top five, with Cynthia Chepkirui and veteran Mercy Cherono finishing fourth and fifth respectively in 15:24.30 and 15:25.35.
Ugandan Charity Cherop, who had stayed in podium contention for much of the race, faded in the final kilometre to finish sixth in 15:28.87.
Chelangat, the reigning Ugandan national champion in the 10,000m, showcased her experience and composure in what turned out to be a tactical affair in the early stages.
Once the pacemaker stepped aside, she took full control of the race under warm, sunny conditions at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
By the halfway mark, the 23-year-old had built a sizable lead.
Despite concerns about whether she had expended too much energy early, she maintained her rhythm and pace, storming to a landmark victory for Uganda in one of the most prestigious athletics meetings on the continent.
Yego Registers Season’s Best but Misses Javelin Podium
Kenya’s former world javelin champion Julius Yego delivered a season’s best throw of 78.74m at the Kip Keino Classic but had to settle for fifth place in front of a home crowd.
The five-time African champion improved on his previous mark of 78.52m recorded at the Doha Diamond League earlier this month but fell short of the podium against a strong international field.
Brazil’s Mauricio Luiz da Silva won the competition with a personal best of 86.34m.
Germany’s Olympic gold medallist Thomas Röhler took second with a season-best 80.79m, while Portugal’s Leandro Ramos threw 80.68m to finish third.
It was also a disappointing outing for Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, who managed only 77.49m to finish seventh.
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