Isabirye's 10:33 stored, Araptany beaten at last trials

By Norman Katende

7th National Track and Field trials


Despite the absence of Solomon Obuto, Musa Isabirye sprinted to a would-be national record of 10.33, though a broken wind gauge could not make it viable to become a new national record.

Isabirye's sprint, together with the beating of Jacob Araptany in the 3000m Steeplechase capped the 7th National Track and Field trial held at Namboole stadium on Saturday.

 
National record not taken
 

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Araptany, Ayeko and Bushendich power through the men's 3000m Steeplechase race (Credit: Norman Katende)

Despite the debate on whether it was a fast reaction or false start, Isabirye  was pushed  on by UK-based James Kasirye and Prison's Walter Adupa in the 100m as he raced to  win by over two metres in the sprints.

The new time was better than the 10.48s that was run by Moses Mila in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 28, 1998 but could not be approved as a national record due to the broken wind gauge.

There is a limit to the wind assistance effort in sprints before any time is recognized.

Moureen Banura also took the 100m women sprint, although she was beaten by Winnie Nanyondo in the 400mevent as she tried to gauge her speed.

"I wanted speed and I believe that it was a good speed and it will help push me on in my next races as I try to qualify for Beijing," said Nanyondo.

Dennis Opio utilised the final curve to break away and win the men's 400m race, beating KCCA's Leonard Opiny in the sprints.

 
Chelangat, Cherop fight on
 

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The men's 1000m race in action. (Credit: Norman Katende)

The distance races were one sided, with Alex Cherop Kapcheromit and Mercyline Chelangat – both from the Police team – having a lone battle towards victory.

Chelangat lacked any notable support as she escaped from her would-be pursuers in the third of the 12-and-a-half lap race to run alone, coming home in a time of 16 minutes 43.68 seconds – over 20 seconds ahead of second-placed Hadija Chemutai.

Kapcheromint on the other hand started on a low note, keeping with her pack as they ran for positions until their trainer Benjamin Njia toughened on them. This is when they  broke away  in the fifth lap and increased the pace, running most of the  final 5000m stretch alone as he went on to win  in a time of 29:03.64 with  his closest challenger Felix Chemonges following  at 29:18.09 as the Forces dominated the first six positions.

Abu Mayanja clocked 3:47.61 to win the 1500m event.
 

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Abu Mayanja (right) sprints to victory in the 1500m race. (Credit: Norman Katende)

  No show in field event

After failing in the sprints, Scovia Ayikoru took the field event and won  the women’s long jump with 5.04m followed  by Jane Nabbasa who managed a leap of 4.92 as most  jumpers were away  at the world university Games.

Lucy Aber threw a not-so-promising 47.22m while Janneth Acan was beaten in the shot put by Gombe's Mercy Laker.

It was also a lukewarm performance in the men's field event with KCCA's David Senoga winning by 58m – just 6m off the national women record of 52.48m.

 
Struggling through the Steeplechase
 

Patricia Chekwemboi was beaten to the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase by Peruth Chemutai as Namboole hosted a second women steeplechase event.

Despite the less promising times, federation technical official Paul Okello noted that the introduction of the steeplechase at every event will help in seeing that they produce more stars, which will increase competition and practice and in the long run to improve on the times.
 

In the events, most athletes had problems going over the steeple; others fell right in the water and had to wade through before going on with the running.

"Those ones will need about one week of training," said Okello after seeing Patricia Chekwemboi, who spent two weeks training in Nairobi, finishing third behind Mercy Chelangat.

Men's long jump
 

Selected winners