First off, I'm no expert and I haven't a clue about the performances relative to conditions, altitude and stage of season for most of these. In many cases, fans in the stands were using their own devices to get a sense of the times as the venue is too rundown and old school for a public display. The times were announced over the PA system later and some have been reported in the media but I'm not sure they've been verified. As far as organisation, I'd say the event was run pretty badly, in my opinion. The government has, reportedly, earmarked funds to upgrade the facilities in Nakuru and 4 other venues so things should improve in the future.
1. The Asbel Kiprop/Ronald Kemwoi showdown over 800m didn't happen. Both were no-shows.
2. Hellen Obiri is on the comeback trail after maternity leave. Fantastic solo run to win the women's 5000m by some distance (looked like 180m to me) in ~ 15:26 (easily a stadium record if correct). Totally obliterated a field that included world steeple champ Hyvin Kiyeng (15:52?) and Lydia Cherotich (15:56?).
3. Watch out for Bedan Karoki at the half marathon worlds in Cardiff. Not only did he win his 1500m heat; he went completely own the 5000m shortly afterwards, comprehensively destroying the likes of Edwin Soi, Thomas Longosiwa, Jarius Birech and others by the widest margin. Time reported was ~ 13:37 which would be a stadium record too. Looked like he went out with about 800m to go and was absolutely flying. Probably meaningless in trying to gauge his form against the world's best but he displayed such strong, aggressive front-running in both events that no one could keep up. Didn't show up for either final the next day but as far as tactics for Cardiff, I'm predicting (hoping for) something similar to his and Kam's X-country run in China.
Whachu gon' do Mo? I know you're reading 😅
4. Silas Kiplagat and Nixon Chepseba both ran 5000m finishing mid-field. Chepseba, at least, tried to mix it up with the leaders for a while. Silas (I'm a fan btw) looked somewhat listless to me but I know nothing about his regime.
5. Eunice Sum won her 1500m heat and went on to beat Winnie Chebet and Commonwealth 5000m champ Mercy Cherono to easily win the final. In both cases, she seemed to be running well within herself only doing enough to win; but a couple of youngsters made her and Mercy work in their heats.
6. Little known Mathew Kiptanui won the men’s 1,500m in 3:43.6 followed by Boaz Kipkurgat (3:44.6), and world youth champ Jonathan Sawe in 3:45.6. Couldn't tell if any of these would be Kenya's future star milers.
7. Keep an eye out for this name: Jonathan Kitilit. This guy comes out of 'nowhere' to totally dominate the 800m, dropping a 1:44, winning by 2 seconds in conditions that didn't seem very conducive, and leaving many scratching their heads asking who he is and where he's from. Job Kinyor could only manage a distant 5th.
8. Jarius Birch also ran the 10000m ... and won! However, judging by how he fared against the super-impressive Karoki in the 5k, he's got some ways to go in terms of speed work and shifting gears mid-race.
9. Vincent Ruto won a lethargic steeple in 9:06 but as I said before, it could've been the conditions. I missed the women's 10k but heard Viola Kibiwott beat a spirited challenge from the young Chebet twins.
10. The number of entries for some events was INSANE. I think I heard something like 204 for either the men's or women's 5k (I forget which) hence the heats.
Check out this Spanish guy's Twitter timeline for more detail as it happened. Nice pictures too including one of Karoki lapping some guy in the 5k.