The majority of the distance favorites were triumphant today in Nairobi at the Kenyans Trials, including 2013 World champions Asbel Kiprop (1,500m) and Eunice Sum (800m), however the surprise of the day was 800m World record holder David Rudisha losing for the first time ever on Kenyan soil. 

 

The 26-year-old Rudisha, who won the World title in 2011 and Olympic gold in 2012, finished second in 1:43.89 today behind Ferguson Rotich, who won in 1:43.60. As is his trademark, Rudisha went straight to the front from the gun and held that position until the final 100 meters as Rotich swung wide and kicked past him. 

 

Today’s finish was very similar to Rudisha’s last two Diamond League races in Lausanne and London, where he was caught by Botswana’s Nijel Amos in the final straightaway both times. Given his string of runner-up finishes, the Kenyan enters Beijing with an unfamiliar status as an underdog. 

 

Rudisha afterwards: “I’m struggling in the last 100m and that is what I will work on. The three weeks I have ahead of the World Championships are enough. I’m 90 percent fit,” he told Capital FM in Kenya.

 

Kiprop, who’s captured the world’s attention with his last two Diamond League victories in Monaco and London, utilized a come-from-behind strategy for the second race in a row and was once again successful in winning the 1500m in 3:34.03. 

 

The 26-year-old made easy work of a very deep field in the final 100 meters, waving and saluting to the crowd with victory in hand. 3:27 man Silas Kiplagat was second in 3:34.44 with Elijah Manangoi third in 3:34.46. 

 

Since Kiprop already had a free pass to Beijing by virtue of his 2013 World title, today’s fourth place finisher Robert Kibiwott should also advance to Worlds.

 

The Kenyans will send the strongest 1500m team in the world to Beijing in three weeks. 

 

In other action, reigning women’s 800 World champion Eunice Sum recorded a commanding victory in 1:59.46 over Janeth Jepkosgei in 2:00.42. 

 

Having run 1:56.99 already this season and not lost a race in all of 2015, Sum is a clear favorite to repeat in Beijing. 

 

Sum mentioned 21-year-old American Ajee Wilson as one of her top competitors for gold at Worlds, calling Wilson “very tough”. In their only matchup this season, Sum narrowly beat Wilson at Pre, 1:57.82 to 1:57.87. 

 

The world’s most dominant steepler, Jairus Birech, atoned for his rare loss last weekend in London to countryman Conseslus Kipruto by beating him today in Nairobi, 8:19.55 to 8:21.73. These two, plus 2008 Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and 2012 Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi will advance to Worlds, giving Kenya by far the best 3,000m steeple team in the world.  

 

Kipruto and Kemboi were 3rd and 4th today in 8:22.95 and 8:24.56, respectively. 

 

Perhaps the most impressive race of the day was run by 2015 World XC champion Geoffrey Kamworor, who won the 10,000m in a stunning 27:11.89. Given that Nairobi is at 5,500 ft of elevation, Kamworor has proven once again that he is incredibly fit as he has already run 26:52 this season. 

 

The 22-year-old ran that 26:52 in finishing third in the Prefontaine 10K, a race won by defending World champion Mo Farah in 26:50.97. 

 

Bedan Karoki and Paul Tanui were 2nd and 3rd in 27:15.33 and 27:18.45, and will join Kamworor in Beijing. Tanui is the reigning World 10,000m bronze medalist. 

The men's 5,000m was won by 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Edwin Soi 13:30.83, with the women's race going to Viola Kibiwott in 15:42.58.

Faith Chepng'etich won the women's 1500m in 4:01.85 over Mercy Cherono in 4:02.21.