Uganda's Cheptoyek dominates 10km AK National Champs

Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek timed 32:31.8 to win the 10000m race at the Athletics Kenya National Championships cum African Senior Athletics Championships trials that got underway on Tuesday at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

National Police’s Gladys Kwamboka clocked 32:43.04 to finish second while fast-rising Faith Chepkoech, who trains at South Rift’s Injerian Camp, came home 33:04.00 in third.

Cheptoyek, who has already punched tickets to the Paris Olympics Games in 5000m and 10000m races, said she had been invited by Athletics Kenya.

“I decided to race in Kenya because I knew I would get challenged as I chase a slot for the African Championship. The weather was perfect and I didn’t expect to win today,” said the national women's 5km record holder.

Kwamboka, who finished fourth during Africa Cross Country Championships held in Tunisia in February, said she was ready to shine at the African Senior Athletics Championships set for Douala, Cameroon on June 15-22.

She is targeting a podium finish in Cameroon as well as a slot to be on plane for the Paris Games.

“I’m ready to represent the country again and this time around I want to finish within the first three positions.”

The two-days trials will be used by AK to pick the team that will head to Cameroon for the week-long Africa games.