Kenyan Wanjiru wins women’s 10 000m race in Japan

Kenyan Rosemary Wanjiru continued her stellar start to her track campaign with victory in the women’s 5000m in Abashiri, Japan, at the third meeting in the Hokuren Distance Challenge series, on Wednesday.

Wanjiru’s 10 000m exploits came 10 days after her win in the 5000m in the first event of the series in Fukagawa.

The 25-year-old finished 45 seconds ahead of her nearest rival, Japan’s Mao Ichiyama, to win in 30:38.18, just three seconds shy of the PB she set when finishing fourth over the distance at last year’s World Championships in Doha.

Wanjiru led from the outset and after just a couple of laps had only two other women for company: Japan’s Mao Ichiyama and Mizuki Matsuda. After covering the first kilometre in 3:08, Wanjiru started to gradually increase the pace.

Ichiyama, who earned selection for Japan’s Olympic team after winning this year’s Nagoya Marathon in 2:20:29, started to lose contact with Wanjiru about 10-and-a-half minutes into the race. Wanjiru, meanwhile, was locked into 3:04-3:05 kilometre pace, reaching the half-way point in 15:24.

She covered the second half even quicker and, increasing her winning margin with each lap, crossed the finish line in 30:38.18. Needless to say, in a year with very few competitions, Wanjiru’s time is a world-leading mark. Although it was close to her track PB, Wanjiru has clocked 29:50 – the third-fastest time in history – on the roads.

Running alone for the final six kilometres, Ichiyama held on to second place and was rewarded with a PB of 31:23.30.

Fellow Kenyan Jonathan Ndiku, best known for his steeplechase exploits, won the men’s 10,000m ‘A’ race in 27:23.47.

The two-time world Under-20 steeplechase champion finished comfortably ahead of fellow Kenyans Alexander Mutiso (27:44.37) and Richard Kimunyan Yator (27:49.35).

Elsewhere in Abashiri, world Under-20 champion Nozomi Tanaka – who last week set a Japanese 3000m record of 8:41.35 – won the women’s 5000m in 15:02.62, beating Kenya’s Hellen Ekarare (15:03.09).

Continuing the Kenyan theme, Benard Kibet Koech won the men’s 5000m in 13:11.77.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo