Rift Valley Region on Thursday exerted its athletics dominance as this year’s Brookside Secondary Schools national games entered day three at Shanzu Teachers College and Shimo La Tewa High School, Mombasa.

The athletes braved the scorching sun to book their tickets to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games, which will be held in Kenya.

Faith Chebet of Rift Valley clocked 4:15.6 to win the girls’ 1500m race, with Nyanza’s Doricah Isoe settling for silver in a time of 4:17.7. Mercy Chepngeno of Rift Valley came in 10.7 seconds later to complete the podium. An elated Chebet said she is glad to have improved to win the race and qualify for the East Africa games.

“I’m very happy today because last year, I was eliminated at the regional games. I didn’t give up and continued to work hard and my hard work and determination has paid off. I will continue to train hard because I also want to perform well at the East Africa games,” Chebet said.

Ibrahim Kipruto of Central tore the boys’ 1500m field to grab the gold medal in a time of 3:45.4. The Rift Valley duo of Wilson Chepkwech (3.46.1) and Ezekiel Kipkorir (3:48.6) ensured that the athletics powerhouse bagged more medals as they took silver and bronze, respectively.

Vincent Langat of Rift Valley won the boys’ 10000m race walking in a time of 51:26.2 with homeboys Rashid M. Jindwa (52:32.0) and Rodgers Nyawa 953.01.7) winning the silver and bronze.

Lilian Mapenzi bagged the Coast region’s first gold medal after winning the girls’ long jump contest. Mapenzi jumped 5.38m ahead of Abigael Cherotich of Western 5:12m and Martha Awour of Nyanza who jumped 4.96m to take bronze.

In boys’ cross country, Rift Valley’s Kevin Kiprop Biwott won the race in a time of 22.47.8, Edwin Sanutia of Western clocked 22.51.0 to take silver, while Denis Kiprop of Rift Valley taking bronze in 22.59.2. In the girls’ race, Nancy Chepkemoi of Rift Valley won gold in 19.15.11 with her compatriot Joyline Chepkemoi taking silver in 19.16.2.