Ugandan runner Nancy Cheptegei pulled out of the 3000m final on day one of the 14th World Junior Athletics Championships in Barcelona, Spain. She reserved all her energy for the 5000m final on Wednesday night. For the first 1000m, it paid as she led the 18-man pack. Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga, who eventually finished second, took over for the bigger part of the 12 and half lap race.
Cheptegei, a double silver medalist at last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games, crossed the finish line ninth, setting a new personal best of 16:15.49. Aga’s country mate, Buze Diriba won gold in 15:32.94.
5000m final – Women
1. Buze Diriba (Ethiopia) 15:32.94
2. Ruti Aga (Ethiopia) 15:32.95
3. Agnes Jebet Tirop (Kenya) 15:36.74
9. Nancy Cheptegei (Uganda) 16:15.49