Ugandan Joy Cheptoyek emerged as the winner of the African Senior Athletics Championships trials in the women’s 10,000 meters race, clocking 32:31.8.

She outpaced Kenya’s Gladys Kwamboka of the National Police Service, who secured second place with a time of 32:43.04, just ahead of South Rift’s Faith Chepkoech, who finished third in 33:04.00.

Cheptoyek received an invitation from Athletics Kenya to participate in the two-day event held at the Ulinzi Complex, which served not only as the African Senior Athletics Championships trials but also as the Athletics Kenya National Championship.

In another event, Mercy Wanjiru of the Kenya Defense Force clinched the women’s 3000m SC finals in 9:45.08, earning her the title of the 2024 AK National Champion. Leah Jeruto and Judy Jepkoech secured second and third place, respectively. The two-day championships will continue tomorrow.

In the men’s 800m semis, Evans Kosgei of North Rift narrowly defeated Cornelius Tuwei (KDF) with a time of 1:49.32, while Olympic 1500m silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot switched his focus to win the men’s 800m semis in 1:46.83.

AK will use the two-days trials to pick the team that will head to Cameroon for the week-long Africa games.

ALSO READ: Angella Okutoyi on the brink of achieving the Olympic dream