Kenya's Cheruiyot books Rio berth, Kipyego falters

Sally Kipyego of Kenya listens to questions during a news conference before the New York Marathon in Central Park, October 30, 2015. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

ELDORET, Kenya (Reuters) - World champion Vivian Cheruiyot booked her ticket to Rio Games while Olympic silver medallist Sally Kipyego became the first major scalp in the two-day Kenyan Olympic trials which kicked off on Thursday.

Kipyego trailed in sixth position in the women's 10,000m, while Cheruiyot won the race in 31:36.40 after virtually running alone for eight laps with Betsy Saina in second (32:04.66) and Gladys Chepsir third in 32:17.13.