EL PASO – A trio of UTEP track and field distance runners claimed titles on day one of the 83rd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at the University of Texas Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin on Wednesday.
Sophomore Risper Kimaiyo led the No. 11 nationally ranked women as the Miners distance runners took the track. Kimaiyo won the women’s 5,000-meter run teaming up with junior Kathya Garcia for a one-two finish in the event. Kimaiyo clocked in a time of 16:53.79, while Garcia followed behind with a time of 16:54.31. Karina Garcia was eighth, 8:02.96.
“It was a windy day for the women’s 5,000m,” assistant coach Paul Ereng said. “But they had control of the race from the beginning and led the entire way.”
In the women’s 1,500m, Jepchirchir Kigen timed in a performance of 4:38.90 for a silver finish. Two spots behind Kigen was Gladys Chumba crossing in the finish line at 4:4054 for fourth.
Kitria Stewart topped all runners in her 800-meter heat with a time of 2:16.10 for an 11th overall finish.
After the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m dash, newcomer Marine Menez stands in 11th place in the women’s heptathlon with 3003 points.
For the men, Justice Chirchir ran off with the gold in the 1,500-meter race posting a time of 3:56.06. Felix Maritim was 18th with a 4:04.46.
“Justice Chirchir ran today’s race from beginning to end without a challenge,” Ereng said. “It was a good day for him today.”
Robert Menjo was the other title winner for the day taking first in the men’s 5,000-meter run. Menjo clocked in at 14:54.15, Solomon Garcia’s time of 15:34.52 was the eighth best time of the race.
A technical error at the end of the men’s 800-meter race prevented Aggrey Chirchir from taking his third consecutive title in the event. Chirchir finished third with a time of 1:50.83.
