Athletics Briefs: Melkamu returns Ostrava, Chebii takes Bern 10 miles ..and more

Kenyan Daniel Chebii won the 10 miles in Bern in 48:52. Runner up Vasil Matviychuk from Ukraine (49:12) narrowly beat Eritrean Simon Tesfaye (49:22). Kenyan Paul Kipkorir was fourth in 49:29. In the women’s race Hungarian Aniko Kalovics easily won from Kenyan Tabita Gichia with 56:02 over 57:48.

Olympic champ Nancy Lagat won her event the 1500m in 4:44.8 during second day of Kenyan Army Forces Championships. Former world steeple bronze medallist Jeruto Kiptum was second in 4:45.5 while Ines Chenonges third in 4:46.0. Lagat also won the 800 m (2:08.4). Jackson Kivuva secured a gold in the 800 m in 1:47.6 and coming in second to Gideon Gathimmba in the 1500 event (3:47.2). Gathimba achieved 3:46.8.

World XC Champion Joseph Ebuya, who after collapsing in 10,000m race recovered 24 hours later to win the 5000 m in 13:46.7. The men steeple racee was a closely contested affair but the honours went to Linus Chumba who was timed 8:29.0.

Chumba’s team-mate Abraham Chirchir managed 8:29.6 to claim second position with Hilary Kemboi third in 8:33.6. Linet Chepkirui continued to dominate long distance following her victory in 5000 m where she returned

GOTEBORG (SWE, May 22): Kenyan James Kiprono Kirui won the Goteborg Half-marathon in 1:01:10. Best European was Iaroslav Muschinschi of Moldova with 1:04:27 as 8th. Ethiopian Amane Gobena was the best woman in 1:11:40 ahead of Swedish Isabellah Andersson (1:13:29).

NAIROBI (KEN, May 21): Kiplimo Kimutai won the 10 000 m at Army Forces Championships in Nyayo Stadium. His time excellent for altitude 28:25.5. William Chebon was second in 28:26.4 to edge out Kiprono Menjo, who was timed at 28:32.5, while Mark Kiptoo had to settle for the fourth slot with 28:37.4, ahead of Shadrack Kosgei 28:43.8 and Barnabas Kosgei 28:48.3.

In the women’s race, Lineth Chepkurui, fresh from setting a new world 12km best in San Francisco, was the best after 33:50.2 to beat Ines Chenonge 33:52.3 and Sharon Chemutai 33:54.3. Peninah Arusei was the fourth finisher in 33:58.3. Another top performance was registered by Olympic 1500 m champion Nancy Lagat who won in 4:29.6.

OSTRAVA (CZE): Ethiopian world silver medalist from Berlin at 10 000 m Meselech Melkamu will be the star of the 10 000 m race in the Czech leg of IAAF World Challenge. She will come to Ostrava for sixth time already and fifth time in a row. It is special place for her.

She still has from Ostrava 2007 her 5k PB, she debuted at 10 k in Ostrava 2008 and last year beat in exciting race both future world champions Linet Masai and Vivian Cheruiyot. Melkamu will come from Shanghai 5000 m and organizers are hoping she might attack at the meet record of Tirunesh Dibaba from 2008 (31:03.37).

Courtesy Alfonz Juck/EME News