Amos Kipkurui wins U20 10,000m trials to book Africa Junior Championship ticket

Seventeen-year-old Amos Kipkurui made running the 10,000m against his peers look easy as he dominated the Under-20 men’s race at the Athletics Kenya trials for the Africa Junior championships to win in 28:33.87.

The two-day event was set to select a team of 50 youngsters who will fly the Kenyan flag at this year's edition of the Under-18 and Under-20 Junior extravaganza set for 29 April to 3 May in Lusaka, Zambia.

The Sirikwa Camp-based athlete eased into the finish line without much of a threat from the chasing Dennis Mutuku who timed 28:38.83 ahead of namesake Dennis Kipkurui who completed the podium places in 28:51.26.

“It was a good race for me despite the intolerable weather. I stayed with the leading pack, gauging the strength of my opponents who had the size advantage which often comes with a finishing kick so I had to make good calculations to have the energy for the kick.

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I am happy for the chance to represent Kenya in the Under-20 category, having been part of the team that did duty in the regional Under-18 competition in Tanzania last year. I am hoping to do well in Zambia. In the remaining days, I will be working on my speed as I feel that I am in a good place with my endurance,” said the Geoffrey Ruto-coached Kipkurui after the race.

Meanwhile, the Makueni County-based Mutuku believes he has what it takes to fly the Kenyan flag high when he lines up for the country in the junior championship in Lusaka.

“It was a fair and competitive race although I have to admit the weather was troublesome. I decided to kick early and see whoever would follow as that meant they are strong enough to challenge me and Kipkurui was there with me.

As we head to Zambia, I will be targeting gold. This time we will compete as a team and I am confident we can bring the glory back to Kenya,” Mutuku offered.

The 10,000m duo will be joined in Team Kenya by Mutuku’s teammate Solomon Mutisya of Ndumbi club who clocked 8:60.39 in the men's 3000m steeplechase to win the race ahead of Emmanuel Wafula who clocked 8:51.36 minutes for second place in the final competed on Saturday.

Vincent Kimaiyo, meanwhile, was victorious in the men's 5000m in the Under-20 category after clocking 13:43.05 minutes, ahead of Edwin Kiprop who came home second in 14:02.97.

Men’s Under-20 10,000m results

1. Amos Kipkurui 28:33.87

2. Mutuku  Dennis 28:38.83

3. Kipkurui Dennis 28:51.26

4. Kinyanjui Daniel 28:57.14

5. Dennis Kiprop 29:02.21

6. Erot Johana 29:03.35

7. Justus Muasya 29:17.32

8. Kiplagat Evans 29:31.74

9. Kiptoo Timothy 29:35.76

10. Mutai Vincent 29:39.34