Young stars shine as 5th AK track meet closes in thrilling fashion

Ulinzi Sports Complex was a beehive of activity on Saturday as the curtains came down on the 5th Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field weekend meet, a thrilling showcase of rising athletic talent and fierce competition.

Vivian Chebet lit up the track with a commanding win in the women’s 800m, storming to victory in 2:00.91. Her strong finish set the tone for the day, despite a moment of confusion in the women’s 1500m, where several athletes mistook the bell lap. Lillian Odira kept her focus amidst the chaos and surged ahead to claim the win.

The men’s 400m finals were a major highlight, with rising sensation George Mutinda stealing the show. Mutinda, whose star continues to ascend, clocked an impressive 45.82 seconds to clinch gold in a race that left the crowd roaring with excitement.

He didn’t stop there Mutinda doubled his success by taking first place in the men's 800m, finishing in a sharp 45.80.

In the sprints, Doreen Waka powered through to win the women’s 100m in 11.92 seconds, showcasing speed and determination.

Meanwhile, in the long-distance battle, Revecca Mwangi dominated the women's 10,000m, clocking a remarkable 32:27.06 to finish well ahead of the pack.

Winners in each category pocketed Sh20,000, with second and third-place finishers walking away with Sh15,000 and Sh10,000 respectively  a strong incentive for athletes aiming to build their careers.

Top performers now set their sights on the upcoming regional meetings, where the stakes will be even higher as they race towards the coveted national championship titles in June.