Stanley Njihia registered his first major win in athletics when he carried the day in the 10,000 metres race during Nyandarua County Track and Field Championships held at the weekend.

Njihia who trains in Nyhururu took control of the race with four laps to go and romped home in 29:10.3 during the competition held at the Ol Joroorok primary school ground.

“The grass track made the race fast. My win is a good build-up towards the central regional Championship and possibly the national event,” he said after the victory.

Evans Mayaka was second in 29:33.6 while Stephen Mwangi was third in 29:54.6.

The corresponding event for women was not held after it failed to attract any runners.

In the women’s 5,000m, Mary Nyaruai was in a class of her own, winning the event with a huge gap from the runners up. She clocked 16:15.05.

Jacinta Nyokabi 16:46.06, Ann Nabare 17:27.6 and Rosaline Muthoni 18:05.1 finished in that order behind Nyaruai.

 John Maina won the 5000m for men clocking 14:14.40, ahead of Francis Abong 14:31.3 and Nicholas Macharia 14:33.4.

Fifty athletes, to represent the County in the Central Regional competition set for mid this month in Nyeri, were selected from the championship