Odira returns to the track on Saturday for the 800m and 400m finals as she chases a remarkable treble of Prisons titles.

World 800m champion Lilian Odira looked in imperious form on the opening day of 2026 Prisons Inter-Regional athletics championships at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

‎Odira opened her campaign in the women’s 400m semifinals, storming to victory in heat three in 54.5 ahead of Sylvia Chesebe, who clocked 57.3.

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‎The middle-distance queen switched gears effortlessly to dominate the women’s 1,500m final, clocking 4:29.1 to lead Sharon Chepchumba, who timed 4:30.1 for second place, and Tecla Cheserek (4:34.1).

‎Odira returns to the track on Saturday for the 800m and 400m finals as she chases a remarkable treble of Prisons titles.

‎“I hope to have a good final day just the way I started,” Odira said.

‎Meanwhile, John Mwaniki produced a powerful run to clinch the men’s 10,000m title in 29:21.5 ahead of Charles Muneria (29:24.4) and Moses Serem (29:36.6).

‎“I am happy with today’s performance. I am also grateful to have been invited as a guest at these Prisons championships,” said Mwaniki.

‎The distance runner admitted he had not anticipated victory until the closing stages of the race.

‎“I did not expect to win, but when I saw the finish line, I decided to kick and go for the win," added Mwaniki.

‎“I don’t have a coach, just a small training group where we push each other."

‎He is eager to don the Kenyan singlet once again, having last represented the country at the 2017 Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.

‎At the 2017 showpiece, Mwaniki competed in the 800m, finishing fifth in the final in 1:55.45.

‎With the national championships scheduled for June 19-21 at Nyayo Stadium, Mwaniki revealed he will seek to sharpen his speed.

‎“I’ll do more speed training to be in good shape for the nationals because there will be a lot of strong athletes.”

‎Charles Muneria, the 2016 African Cross Country Championships bronze medallist, admitted the men’s 10,000m field was highly competitive.

‎“The race was good. We ran as a team and everybody was very strong.”

‎Muneria also disclosed that he was still battling fatigue following his outing at the Vienna Marathon on April 19, where he clocked 2:08:42 to finish third.

‎“My body was not fully recovered after running the Vienna Marathon. The sun was also very hot, so it was a bit of a challenge,” he said.

‎Like Mwaniki, Muneria is also shifting focus toward sharpening his speed ahead of the national championships.

‎“I hope to now go back to training so that I can be ready for the nationals.”

‎In the women’s 5,000m, Brillian Chepkorir claimed victory in 16:11.5 ahead of national 5,000m champion Rebecca Mwangi who timed 16:13.9 for second place.

‎Sheila Chepkurui rounded off the podium timing 16:14.4.

‎Mwangi admitted the punishing heat made conditions difficult.

‎“The race was a little tough for me because of the weather, but I am glad I was able to finish second,” she said.

‎She also cited lingering fatigue from her pacing duties at the London Marathon on April 26.

‎“My body still had a little fatigue from pacing at the London Marathon, but I had to do some quick training so as to run at the Prisons championships.”

‎Mwangi revealed she attempted to inject pace into the race with 300 metres to go in a bid to test eventual winner Brillian.

‎“I tried to kick at the 300m to see the reaction from the field before going for the finish.”

‎“Brillian reacted well and I could not keep up with her,” she added.

‎Mwangi heads into the national championships as the defending women’s 5,000m champion after claiming last year’s crown in 15:39.78.

‎Despite the stiff competition expected at the national trials, she remains confident of defending her title.

‎“I will be coming to defend my 5,000m title,” Mwangi said.