Thursday 23rd March - Athletics Day 5

Thursday saw the running of the Men's 800m Final on Day 4 of the Athletics program.

Alex Kipchirchir of Kenya took the title in convicing fashion and this will srelu build on his confidence which he is sure to take to the Golden League Series in 2006

Also on the program was the running of Women's 800m semi-finals where all the main protaginists went through . see below

800m Men Winner Alex Kipchirchir Kenya Time 1:45.88
The Men's 800m was a tense affair, with an opening lap of 53.67, it was always going to be about who had the best finish on the occasion. Kenya's Alex Kipchirchir prevailed ahead of Canada's Achraf Tadili to win in a time of 1:45.88.

Tadili was happy to get in on the act to claim the Silver ahead of John Litei Nkamasiai by the slenderest of margins, 0.05 seconds to be exact, 1:46.93 ahead of 1:46.98.

For Kipchirchir it was the realisation of a feeling he carried from the previous day's heat (semi-final).

Alex Kipchirchir quote: "The race was fantastic," the gold medallist declared. "I knew I had the feet to do it. Yesterday, when I finished my heat, I knew I was going to do it."

This was Kipchirchir's first major championship medal and it augers well for his future.

Results : Men's 800m final

01. Alex Kipchirchir (Kenya) 1 min 45.88 secs
02. Achraf Tadili (Canada) 1:46.93
03. John Litei (Kenya) 1:46.98
04. Sherridan Kirk (Trinidad & Tobago) 1:47.45
05. Jason Stewart (New Zealand) 1:47.72
06. Nick Bromley (Australia) 1:50.45
07. Cosmas Rono (Kenya) 1:52.03
08. Onalenna Oabona (Botswana) 1:57.20

Splits below