Kenya’s Mercy Oketch successfully defended her 400m title at the seventh edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic held at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, April 24
The national champion powered to victory in a season’s best time of 50.17 seconds, narrowly missing her meeting record set last year.
American Paris Peoples finished second in 51.06 seconds, while Kenya’s Mercy Chebet sealed third place in a season’s best 51.54 seconds.
Oketch, while addressing the media described the race as tough but expressed satisfaction with her performance, noting that it provides a strong build-up ahead of the upcoming World Relays in Botswana.
“It was a good race but very tough. I trained to win, but a podium finish is okay with me. It was a good build up for the World Relays in Botswana,” said Oketch.
In the women’s 800m, Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew produced a late surge to deny Kenya’s Lilian Odira a chance to retain her title. Getachew clocked 1:58.79 to win, overtaking Odira in the final stretch.
Odira settled for second in a season’s best 1:59.15, while Ethiopia’s Habtam Gebeyehu finished third in a personal best of 1:59.72.
Despite the loss, Odira remained optimistic, saying her sub-two-minute performance in her season opener signals a promising campaign ahead.
Meanwhile, Kenya dominated the men’s 800m, sweeping all podium positions.
Kelvin Kimtai Loti clinched victory in 1:43.63, edging out Alex Ng’eno, who posted a season’s best 1:44.12. Noah Kibet completed the podium with a personal best time of 1:44.44.
Loti attributed his win to well-executed tactics and a timely finishing kick, adding that earlier performances at the meet inspired his effort.
In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana stunned a strong field to claim victory in a meeting record time of 8:14.55.
Kenya’s Simon Koech finished second in 8:15.71, while Leonard Bett secured third place. Godana’s decisive move in the final 200 metres proved crucial as he outpaced his rivals.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Zakithi Nene successfully defended his men’s 400m title, clocking a season-best 44.55.
Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga finished second in the same time, registering a personal best, while Kenya’s Kelvin Kiprotich came third in 44.95, also a personal best.
Nene expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting that the race marked a strong start to his season.
Samukonga, on his part, cited the effects of high altitude but remained confident as the season progressed.
The annual Kip Keino Classic continues to attract top local and international talent, serving as a key event in the global athletics calendar and offering athletes an opportunity to gauge their form early in the season.
By Anita Omwenga
