Homabay County: Kiprono, Ondieki win Karachuonyo 10km race

A section of athletes compate in 12km men during the Police Cross-country Championship at Ngong Racecourse in 2014. PHOTO?DENNIS OKEYO.

More than 300 athletes turned up for the inaugural Karachuonyo 10km run at Ongalo Primary School in Kendu Bay, Homabay County.

The athletics showpiece, which was held on a dry and relatively flat course in baking conditions, saw upstarts battle in the historical sporting region last.

Unknown athlete Philip Kiprono of Kenya Prisons was too good for his rivals, winning in 30:24.6. Nyamira County's Dennis Chanchima (30:30.5) and homeboy Benson Onyango (31:51.7) followed as Jairus Chanchima (32:54.4), younger brother of Dennis, came fourth.

Kisii county's Amos Matongo (33:30.3), Joseph Auka (33:59.4) of Nyamira, Stephen Ngatuny (34:10.8), Victor Ochieng' (34:16.6), Bernard Sang (34:17.6) and Lyton Cheruiyot (35:09.7) came in that order.

In the women's front, Prisons Mercyline Ondieki (37:13.9) led Damaris Ondieki (37:15.7) of Kisii County and Lynne Tambu (40:03.9) of Kisumu County.

JUNIOR ATHLETES

The spectacle, which was initiated by Athletics Kenya Prisons chairman Benjamin Njoga, was spiced up by cross-country races for junior athletes.

John Bosco (25:02.1) of Siaya County wore the men's 8km cross-country race beating homeboys Kepha Otieno (25:14.3) and Richard Onyango (25:18.4).

Nancy Cheboi (28:41.9) of Muhoroni carried the 6km race ahead of Edna Barasa (29:32.0) and Dorine Akinyi (31:09.1).

Njoga, who is a member of AK executive, said the race will be an annual event to tap local talents and sports tourism.

"We want to conserve Simbinyaima lake. It will also will help in the bid to put up a low altitude training centre in county to help sprinters," said Njoga.

Nicholas Koliko, the Homa Bay County executive of finance, represented Governor Cyprian Awiti. South Nyanza AK chairman Peter Angwenyi and his Nyanza North counterpart Joseph Ochieng attended the event.