Jepkosgei runs from the front to win 800m

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 28 (Reuters) Janeth Jepkosgei gave a superb display of front-running to win Kenya's first women's 800 metres global title at the world championships today.

The 23-year-old Commonwealth champion ran the quickest time of the year on her way to the final and improved it to one minute 56.04 seconds to see off Morocco's Hasna Benhassi, who finished second in 1:56.99.

''This medal is important for Kenya and for me,'' Jepkosgei told reporters. ''This is the first medal for middle distance where we don't have many runners.

''It's a challenge to my fellow Kenyans to do more at middle distance and not just concentrate on long distances.'' Mayte Martinez of Spain's final kick helped her past Russia's Olga Kotlyarova for bronze in a personal best 1:57.62.

Jepkosgei made her tactics clear from the start, charging into the first corner and easing into the lead when the field broke with Bulgarian Svetlana Usovich and Slovenian Brigita Langerholc tucked in behind her.

''I decided to go in front and not wait for the others,'' Jepkosgei said. ''I had to do my best and that's what I did.'' Mozambique's 34-year-old Maria Mutola, world champion in 1993, 2001 and 2003, looked happy to sit back in fifth place and bide her time.

The Kenyan showed no sign of letting up the pace, however, and with her red dyed pony-tail bobbing up and down as she powered ahead had built up a five-metre lead at the bell.

Mutola made her move at the end of the back straight, storming past the East Europeans with Benhassi on her tail.

They charged into the home straight together but never looked like catching Jepkosgei and Mutola pulled up when her hopes of a sixth world championship medal disappeared.

''I'd have liked to go for gold but the pace was suicidal, so I opted for a cautious start and relied on my finish,'' said Benhassi, whose season has been disrupted by illness.

Jepkosgei had time to raise her arms in triumph as she crossed the line in a personal best time.

''I think it's a challenge for me now because I know I'm competitive,'' she added. ''(My time was) good, but I have to do something more before the end of the season.'' REUTERS BJR BST2004