Prime
Stella Chesang ticks Cape boxes
Back with a bang! Chesang can now set sights on qualifying for Oregon Worlds after announcing her return in a big stellar race. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Same as before. After a three-year maternity break, the 25-year-old distance runner returned to beat a strong field at the Cape Town 10k race in South Africa on Sunday in a national record time of 30:39 seconds.
Stella Chesang is back, and with a bang. After a three-year maternity break, the Ugandan long-distance runner returned to action to win the Cape Town 10K in South Africa on Sunday.
The 25-year-old marked a solid return in elite running by beating a strong field to win the race in a national record (NR) time of 30 minutes and 39 seconds.
“A comeback win,” remarked her manager Jurrie van der Velden. Chesang had not competed since finishing sixth at the Durban 10K in South Africa on October 13, 2019.
She consequently missed selection to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and only returned to compete in February when she came 12th at the Agnes Tirop Cross-country Classic in Eldoret, Kenya.
Yesterday, she broke her previous NR mark of 31:14 set when she won the Durban 10K in 2018. Since 2018, she has been living in Kenya with her husband and recovering from giving birth to top shape is not an oatmeal.
“Determination and hard work,” the Dutch man explained how Chesang got her body back in shape.
“She has always been very committed,” he added.
“It’s a very good result. The level of women in long-distance running is by far not on the level of the men’s. That’s also because of culture,” stated coach Addy Ruiter.
Sights on Oregon
The reigning 10000m Commonwealth champion Chesang reached the tape ahead of Kenyan Jesca Chelangat who crossed home in 30:48, while former 1500m world record holder Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba was third in 31:02.
Another Ugandan Sarah Chelangat was fifth in 31:35 whereas Mercyline Chelangat, who also came out of a maternity break to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics last June, came seventh in 31:52.
Chesang will attempt to qualify for the Oregon World Championships over the 10000m in Europe next month, according to Jurrie.
Meanwhile, Winnie Nanyondo broke her own personal best from 9:27.25 to 8:52.30 after she came 13th in the 3000m race at the Doha Diamond League in Qatar on Friday night.
In the 5000m National event, youngster Rogers Kibet had the support of pacemaker Ronald Musagala but they were overwhelmed by the brutal weather conditions and even if he won in 13:36.49, he missed the qualification mark of 13:13.50 to the Oregon Worlds.
Diamond League
MEN’S 5000M (NATIONAL)
1.Rogers Kibet UGA 13:36.49
2.Ismail Muhyadin SOM 13:47.65
3.Said Omar SOM 13:49.28
X.Ronald Musagala UGA DNF
WOMEN’S 3000M
1.Francine Niyonsaba BDI 8:37.70
2.Faith Kipyegon KEN 8:38.05
3.Jessica Hull AUS 8:40.97
13.Winnie Nanyondo UGA 8:52.30
BENGALURU 10K
MEN
1.Nicholas Kimeli KEN 27:38
2.Tadese Worku ETH 27:43
3.Kibiwott Kandie KEN 27:57
10.Abel Sikowo UGA 28:59
WOMEN
1.Irene Cheptai KEN 30:35
2.Hellen Obiri KEN 30:44
3.Joyce Tele KEN 31:47
10.Prisca Chesnag UGA 32:42
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