Betsy Saina 2nd In Kenyan Trials For Beijing World Championships

Betsy Saina earned her first World Championships berth with a runner-up finish in the women's 10,000-meters at the Safaricom Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, today. Four-time World Champion and 2012 Olympic 5,000-meter Silver medalist Joyce Cheruiyot was able to pass Saina and take the win over the final 200-meters, as the duo cleared the field to earn the two automatic spots for the IAAF World Championships to be held August 24th in Beijing, China, running 32:58.40 and 32:59.20 in the 80-degree midday heat.

Saina's finish was a bit of an upset as the deep Kenyan field included reigning World Cross Country Champion Agnes Tirop (5th), 2012 Olympic 10k Sliver Medalist Sally Kipyego, World Half Marathon Record Holder Florence Kiplagat, former World 10k champion Linet Masai, World Half Marathon Bronze medalist Selly Chepyego and two-time World Cross Country champion Emily Chebet, among others.