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3 Races, 3 Wins in 24 Hours for Ongori at National Corporate Track and Field Championships

by Brett Larner

After winning the women's 10000 m on Friday night and then her heat of the 5000 m on Saturday morning, Kenyan ace Philes Ongori (Team Hokuren) returned Saturday night to take the women's 5000 m final at the 2009 National Jitsugyodan Track and Field Championships in Okayama. Ongori's time of 15:28.11 was a far cry from her sub-15 PB but strong enough to hold off countrywoman Doricah Obare (Team Hitachi) and all Japanese competitors. Yuko Shimizu (Team Sekisui Giken) was the surprise top in the latter category, outkicking World Championships team members Yurika Nakamura (Team Tenmaya) and Kayoko Fukushi (Team Wacoal) for 3rd in a PB of 15:30.29.

After likewise winning the 10000 m and his heat of the men's 5000 m, Gideon Ngatuny (Team Nissin Shokuhin) made a play for his own threepeat but came up short in his fatigue. Archrival Josephat Ndambiri (Team Komori Corp.) was waiting in the wings to take Ngatuny down, winning in 13:11.46 with Jonathan Ndiku (Team Hitachi Cable) and 2007 World Championships 10000 m bronze medalist Martin Mathathi (Team Suzuki) close behind in 2nd and 3rd. Left behind in the final kick, Ngatuny could only manage 4th in 13:18.63. 5000 m national record holder Takayuki Matsumiya (Team Konica Minolta) was the top Japanese runner at 6th in 13:47.20, nearly 35 seconds off his record but a step back in the right direction from the injuries which have plagued him this year. Satoru Kitamura (Team Nissin Shokuhin), the top Japanese man in both the 10000 m and his heat of the 5000 m, was a casuality of the difficult three-race schedule, pulling out partway through the 5000 m final.

2009 National Jitsugyodan Track and Field Championships - Top Results
click event headers for complete results

Women's 5000 m - Final
1. Philes Ongori (Team Hokuren) - 15:28.11
2. Doricah Obare (Team Hitachi) - 15:30.18
3. Yuko Shimizu (Team Sekisui Giken) - 15:30.29 - PB
4. Yurika Nakamura (Team Tenmaya) - 15:31.52
5. Kayoko Fukushi (Team Wacoal) - 15:32.45
6. Christine Muyanga (Team Panasonic) - 15:33.10
7. Misaki Katsumata (Team Daiichi Seimei) - 15:34.13
8. Yuka Kakimi (Team Daiichi Seimei) - 15:37.31
9. Hiromi Koga (Team Denso) - 15:40.55
10. Hiroko Shoi (Team Nihon ChemiCon) - 15:43.18

Men's 5000 m - Final
1. Josephat Ndamibiri (Team Komori Corp.) - 13:11.46
2. Jonathan Ndiku (Team Hitachi Cable) - 13:11.99
3. Martin Mathathi (Team Suzuki) - 13:12.63
4. Gideon Ngatuny (Team Nissin Shokuhin) - 13:18.63
5. Martin Mukule (Team Toyota) - 13:34.00
6. Takayuki Matsumiya (Team Konica Minolta) - 13:47.20
7. Tomoya Onishi (Team Asahi Kasei) - 13:48.72 - PB
8. Kazuharu Takai (Team Kyudenko) - 13:51.99
9. Tomoyuki Morita (Team Kanebo) - 13:52.07
10. Jacob Wanjuki (Team Aichi Seiko) - 13:53.72

(c) 2009 Brett Larner
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