Cheptegei reigns supreme in Police run

THE JOHN AKII-BUA POLICE CENTENARY ROAD RUN

By Norman Katende

KAMPALA - Upcoming star Joshua Cheptegei looks set to rule the men’s distance running, having beaten a field of Uganda’s seasoned athletes to the John Akii-Bua Police centenary celebration 10km run at Kololo.

Police’s Stella Chesang won the women’s event while Adero Nyakisi made a great comeback to win the women’s 21km event. Alpha’s Nathan Ayeko was the men’s half marathon winner.

(PHOTOGRAPHY by Norman Katende)

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Men's 21km: And off they went!

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Police’s Stella Chesang remained focused to eventually win the women’s event

The Police athlete, who finished second in the IAAF Gold label Bangalore road run  last weekend, broke away from his closest challengers with about 2km to go and never looked back,  crossing the line with a finish time of 30 minutes 16.5 seconds to beat the chasing Stephen Mande  of Prisons by over 14 seconds.

“It was tight at the beginning but when I settled, I decided to go out,” said Cheptegei, who won the World University Cross-country gold medal at Entebbe in March.

It was a great run for the junior runner (Cheptegei), who is Uganda’s biggest bet for a medal at the upcoming IAAF World Junior Championships, that is, if he makes the qualifying mark next week in Europe.

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And who said former World 3000m Steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru couldn't run anymore? She finished third!

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The men going the curve: Who had the will to go all the way?Who didn't?

Chesang on the other hand had a one-woman final 3km road run before beating seasoned Rebecca Cheptegei by over 30 seconds as she led Police to a 1-2-3 finish with Patricia Chekwemoi coming in third.

Adero Nyakisi was the toast of the women’s half marathon, making a comeback after a long maternity layoff to win by one hour 21 minutes and seven seconds.

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Adero Nyakisi could not contain her excitement as she crossed the line.

Despite not breaking her national record of 1:11:06 which she set in France, Nyakisi was excited by coming first and her celebrations were there for all to see as she lifted her running vest before running back to hug her coach.

“I could not believe it. It was my first race and I am still training hard,” she beamed.

Ndejje’s Annet Chebet came second right ahead of former World 3000m Steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru who finished third, 50 seconds behind Nyakisi.

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Nathan Nyeko hit the finish line ahead of anyone else in the men's 21km race

In the men’s event, Alpha's Nathan Ayeko used his last kick to beat Police’s Fred Arapsudi to the title.

Ayeko clocked 1:06:03 with Arapsudi (1:06:23) and UPDF’s Philip Kiplimo (1:06:33) following.

And then there were . . .

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Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura shkaes hands with Makindye LC3 boss Dr. Ian Clarke

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Mind your shoe laces sir: Internal Affairs minister Gen. Aronda Nyakairima (in yellow)

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Dr. Clarke being cheered on all the way. Go! go! go!

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And finally, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga (striped shirt)!

Top five results

Women 10km

Stella Chesang (Police) 35:25.5

Rebecca Cheptegei (Police) 35:57.4

Patricia Chekwemoi (Police) 36:22.8

Dorcus Ajok (Ndejje) 36:39.0

Merceline Chelangat (Police) 37:08.1

 Men 10km

Joshua Cheptegei (Police) 30:16.5

Stephen Mande (Prisons) 30:35.7

Dickson Huru (UPDF) 30:49.7

Dominic Korir (KCCA) 31:00.2

Peter Kibet (Police) 31:13.6

 Women 21km

Adero Nyakisi (Prisons) 1:21:07

Annet Chebet (Ndejje) 1:21:33

Dorcus Inzikuru (Police) 1:21:57

 Emily Chebet (UPDF) 1:22:38

Viola Chemutai (Prisons) 1:23:54

 Men 21km

Nathan Ayeko (Alpha) 1:06:03

Fred Arapsudi (Police) 1:06:23

Philip Kiplimo (UPDF) 1:06:33

Solomon Mutai (Arua) 1:06:38

James Kibet (UPDF) 1:06:52