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February\u00a021,\u00a02026:<\/strong>\u00a02024\u00a0Africa and national 10,000m champion Gladys Kwamboka stamped her authority at the\u00a0Betika\u00a0BingwaFest\u00a0Coast edition with a commanding long-distance double, winning both the 10,000m and 5,000m titles in dominant fashion.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 29-year-old\u00a0first secured victory in the women\u2019s 10,000m, clocking 33:39.5 in a tactical race, with a strong kick in the final stretch to finish ahead of\u00a0Brenda\u00a0Jepchumba\u00a0Kenei\u00a0(33:34.0)\u00a0and\u00a0Kadogo\u00a0Jematian\u00a0(33:44.16).\u00a0<\/p>\n She later returned to the track to claim the women\u2019s 5,000m crown in 16:07.2, narrowly edging Celestine Biwott by just 0.4 seconds in one of the closest finishes of the day, with Kadogo\u00a0Jematian\u00a0(16:10.5)\u00a0sealing the podium.<\/p>\n Speaking after her triumph, Kwamboka said: \u201cI have been working so that I could come and take part, but I did not get the chance before in the season because I have been engaged at work. I was not expecting to win today because I am just getting in shape for the season, and I think I did well for myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Kwamboka took home KES 550,000 for triumphing in the two races, KES 300,000 for winning the 10,000m, and KES 250,000 for winning the 5,000m.<\/p>\n Stephen Muthini\u00a0clocked 29:14.7\u00a0to win the men\u2019s 10,000 race,\u00a0edging\u00a0Edica\u00a0Kipkorir (29:28.4)\u00a0and\u00a0Joseph\u00a0Ndirangu (29:30.1)\u00a0who were second and\u00a0third, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the 5000m, Abel Kirui edged a thrilling contest to win in 13:14.0, narrowly ahead of Victor Kimutai, who clocked 13:14.8. Weldon Langat rounded out the podium\u00a0in\u00a013:45.0.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s 1500m, Naomi Korir produced a composed run to take victory in 4:24.9\u00a0with\u00a0Celestine Biwott (4:26.5)\u00a0finishing second as\u00a0Christine\u00a0Komen\u00a0(4:27.9)\u00a0came home third.\u00a0Kyumbe\u00a0Munguti\u00a0won\u00a0the men\u2019s race\u00a0in 3:46.8.\u00a0Wilson Larry Merin\u00a0and Constantine Cheruiyot\u00a0followed in 3:48.3 and 3:48.4, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tanzania\u2019s\u00a0Winfrida\u00a0Makenji\u00a0powered\u00a0to victory in the women\u2019s 100m in 12.3 seconds, holding off\u00a0a competitive field\u00a0to beat Maximilla Imali\u00a0(12.4)\u00a0and Moureen Wafula\u00a0(12.5), who were second and third, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n The four-time Tanzania national champion over 100m welcomed the challenge of lining up against unfamiliar opposition in\u00a0a new environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a very good platform for me,\u201d she said after her win. \u201cWhen you compete outside your country and against athletes you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0normally face, you can test your level truly. The conditions are different, the crowd is different, and the competition is different. It pushes you mentally and physically. For me, this was about gauging where I am,\u00a0identifying\u00a0areas I can improve, and challenging myself beyond my comfort zone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Focus now shifts to the national finals where the top athletes from respective regions will line up against each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n