NAIROBI, 12 July 2003 — Commonwealth Games 10,000 meters gold medalist Selina Kosgei obliterated a strong field to cruise to an easy win during the Kenyan national championships here yesterday.

The former 800m runner was too strong for her rivals as she finished the race 300m clear of the field, which included two leading world marathon runners, Catherine Ndereba and Joyce Chepchumba.

One of the favorites to clinch a place in the team for next month’s World Championships in Paris, Kosgei, who is coached by her husband, former national hurdles champion Barnabas Kinyor, clocked 32min 15.4sec.

Eunice Chepkorir was second in 32:58.0 and Ndereba was third in 32:58.1.

Ndereba and Chepchumba, who was sixth in the race, have been named in the provisional marathon team for the World Championships.

Reigning 10,000m world champion Charles Kamathi qualified for today’s 5,000m final in which he faces Commonwealth champion Sammy Kipketer. Kamathi, has been battling with a calf injury.