Nairobi — Cecilia Kiplagat of Kenya Prisons on Saturday attained the qualifying mark for the Africa Championships when she hit 50.42 metres in winning the javelin competition during the New KCC Athletics Kenya second weekend track and field meeting at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium.

The qualifying mark for the women's javelin in the continental championships, scheduled for Addis Ababa from April 30, is 48.50 metres.

Kiplagat said she would train harder to maintain her form. "I won't take today's victory as an achievement but I'm going to work hard and secure a chance to represent my country in the African Championships," she said.

Failed in his bid

Kenya Prisons dominated the competition as Susan Kobiret and Jane Kiptoo recorded 39.49m and 30.44m respectively to claim second and third positions.

Julius Maritim of General Service Unit (GSU) failed in his bid to attain qualifying time in the 10,000 metres' men's race when he clocked 31 minutes 05.32 seconds. Postbank's Hosea Kiplagt came in second (31:54.44) with Suleiman Nyasiande finishing third (32:07.60).

Maritim said had the race been held in the morning, he could have recorded a better timing and attain the Africa qualifying time of 28:38.00.

"It is too hot in Mombasa at this time (12.30 pm) for any athlete to register good times," he said.

However, the GSU runner said he was confident to improve his time and even qualify for the African event during the third and fourth championships in Kisii and Nakuru respectively.

GSU maintained dominance in the 10,000m when 21-year-old Hellen Nzembi won the women's race, clocking 35:47.8. Mumbu Kioko of Posta finished second (37:06.5) with an individual entrant Anna Nyambura returned 42:38.4 to claim third spot.

Nzembi, who finished second to Lornah Kiplagat during the eight-kilometre race at last year's national cross country championships in Mombasa, said she was aiming for a continental qualifying time of 35:20.00 to be able to represent the country.

"I'm also aiming to become one of the top athletes in Kenya like Lornah Kiplagat and Paul Tergat," said Nzembi.

Nzembi finished second in the 1,500m event clocking 4:37.7 with the winner Jane Mwikali of Prisons returning 4:37.3. Posta's Josephine Kimuyo was third in a time of 4:42.3.

Prisons dominated in the women's 100m and 200m races when they scooped all the three top positions. Elizabeth Muthoka won both the double when she returned 12.7 and 25.8 respectively, followed by Zipora Ratemo who ran 12.85 and 26.4.

Damaris Mbule was third in the 100m taking 12.95 with Florance Wasike finished third in the 200m clocking 27.4. Prisons runners also won top spots in the 100 and 200m events.

Philip Ngwono took the 100m in 10.86, followed by Enock Omeka of Posta (11.23 with Nyakundi Washington, third (11.57). Stephen Baraza won the 200m in a time of 22.56, Solomon Odongo of KPA finished second (22.89 while Enock Omeka, third (23.26).