Kenya women’s team lost the medley race to the United States of
America, who set a new world record, as the World Relays started on
Saturday (Sunday night in Kenya) at the Thomas Robison Stadium, Bahamas.
A poor start by Selah Jepleting saw Kenyans settle
for a silver medal in 10:43.35 as the USA, powered by the 2012 London
Olympics 400 champion Sanya Richards-Ross, strutted to gold in a new
world record time of 10:36.50.
However, the silver
exploits somehow soothed the hearts of Kenyans after their men’s 4x800m
and 4x400m teams had staged a disastrous show.
The
Kenya men’s 4x800m team was disqualified while the 4x400m side crashed
out in the first round, in what was a repeat of the inaugural 2014
championships at the same arena.
However, the time set
by Kenyan women Jepleting (1,200m), Joy Zakari (400m), Sylvia Chesebe
(800m) and Virginia Nyambura (1,600m) was enough to set an African
record in the medley.
USA’s Treniere Moser (1,200m), Richards-Ross (400m), Ajee Wilson (800m) and Shannon Rowbury (1,600m) took more than six seconds off the previous mark of 10:42.57 that was set earlier this year by a different US team.
USA’s Treniere Moser (1,200m), Richards-Ross (400m), Ajee Wilson (800m) and Shannon Rowbury (1,600m) took more than six seconds off the previous mark of 10:42.57 that was set earlier this year by a different US team.
The first leg looked more
tactical in the beginning with everyone reluctant to lead as the first
lap was covered in just 69 seconds. But the pace picked up by the end of
the 1,200m section where Jepleting surrendered the lead to France and
USA who respectively set times of 3:18.11 and 3:18.38.
OUTSIDE WORLD RECORD PACE
The
slow first lap meant the teams were a few seconds outside world record
pace, but a 50.12 clocking from Richards-Ross on the 400m leg put them
back on course.
Wilson then ran a solo 2:00.08 for the
800m leg and Rowbury then increased their lead, which was already
substantial, to bring the baton home in 10:36.50, covering the final
four laps in 4:27.92.
An error cost Kenya silver in
4x800m when the 2012 London Olympic Games 800m bronze medallist, Timothy
Kitum, who ran the team’s third leg, collected the baton from Nicholas
Kipkoech ahead of the changeover zone. This enabled USA to claim victory
while Poland and Australia benefited from Kenya’s miseries to upgrade
to silver and bronze medal respectively.
Talented World
Junior and Youth 800m champion Alfred Kipketer led home Duane Solomon
but the crucial move came with just under 200 metres to go on the second
leg
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