Kiplagat, Araptany into Steeplechase final

By Norman Katende in Moscow

IAAF World Athletics Championships

Men 3000m Steeplechase semi-final

Heat 1

1. M. Mekhissi-Benabbad (FRA) 8:15.43

2. M. Hughes (CAN) 8:16.93

6. B. Kiplagat (UGA) 8:21.14

Heat 2

1. E. Jagar (USA) 8:23.76

2. E. Kemboi (UGA) 8:23.84

4. J. Araptany (UGA) 8:24.53

Heat 3

1. C. Kipruto (KEN) 8:22.31

2. P. Koech (KEN) 8:22.88 

T. Toroitich (UGA) DNS

JACOB Araptany and Benjamin Kiplagat qualified for the IAAF World Athletics Championships 3000m Steeplechase final, after finishing among the six fastest losers in the semi-finals on Monday morning at Luzhniki Stadium.

The duo managed to lead their heats for the first 2000m and by the time the rest of the field began jostling for positions, they had already run fast times which helped them advance. Only the top three finishers in each heat qualified directly for the final.

Kenya's Mutai chases down Kiplagat who raced into the lead early on. Photo by Norman Katende.

TAKING NOTES: Coach Benjamin Longiros watches Uganda's athletes run during the 3000m Steeplechase heats. Photo by Norman Katende.

As expected, Kiplagat who was running in Heat 1 decided to break away from the rest as early as the first lap, trying to force a fast paced race but was reined in during the final two laps.

Kiplagat lost places as he struggled to up his pace and finished sixth clocking 8:21:14. It was a particularly fast heat given that three of the best losers to qualify for the final all came from it.

Araptany also scrapped into Thursday’s final after he employed tactics similar to those Kiplagat used and was edged out of the lead during the final lap as he struggled with injury to limp to the finish line after he was spiked.

Jacob Araptany leads the field in his heat. Photo by Norman Katende.

Uganda's head of delegation Domenic Otuchet follows proceedings from the stands. Photo by Norman Katende.

"I still had more energy. I had told them that if they fail to open up, I will open up and when I started the race, I decided to go all the way so that I could post a better time," said Araptany after the race. 

Martin Toroitich, who had earlier been slated to compete in the third heat, did not turn up for the event, as the coach said that he felt that he was too tired to give it a try after taking part in the 10000m final on Saturday.

Athletes who have qualified for the 3000m Steeplechase final