By Robin Toskin

For Ernest Kebenei, Sh150,000 pay cheque was an early birthday present, but he first needed to sweat it out and, which he did by winning the Standard Chartered Marathon.

Kebenei turns 25 on November 20 and Sunday’s winning performance in 1:01:54 in the half marathon was a perfect preamble of his celebrations after years of toil.

And as Kebenei savoured his triumph, Magdalene Chemjor, a teacher was counting her blessings after clinching the women’s version in the 21km race clocking 1:12:18.

A delighted Ernest Kebenei after winning the 21-km race at Sunday’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard

In a competitive field tampered with not-so-favourable weather, Kebenei dug deep tactically to shrug off second placed Barnabas Kosgei.

"I had prepared well but in a race like this you always meet other very well prepared athletes who will give you a run for your money," Kebenei, a former Kabikwen Secondary School student said.

"Kosgei was pushing at every turn, threatening to pull away but I decided to take the initiative and dictated the pace. Kosgei was strong and he kept pushing but after I engaged my top gear, slowly I lost Kosgei and maintained my speed all the way," Kebenei said.

Two weeks ago, Kebenei finished second in Kebirigo 10km race and Sunday’s feat, he said was a reward for his determination.

Kosgei (1:02:12) held on to the second place beating Geoffrey Kanyanjua (1:02:18).

In the women’s category, Chemjor looked the stronger in peeling away from the rest of the leading pack to beat Consolata Yadaa (1:12:47) and Pamela Bundotich 1:12:50 to second and third place.

Despite training well, 28-year old Chemjor said the win was unexpected.

"I was anxious at the start and something kept telling me you can do it. Once I braved the opening stages, I felt I could go all they way and which I did," Chemjor said adding that she now looks forward to next year’s full Marathon.

bright future

Chemjor said she was encouraged by her first outing in the Nairobi Marathon and believes her future is bright.

In the 10Km version, Pamela Lisoreng topped the women’s category returning to the Nyayo National Stadium ahead of the pack in 32:18:13 to bag Sh100,000 prize money.

Alice Jepkemboi (33:21:00) shrugged off Milka Cherotich’s (33:21:04) late challenge to finish second.

Wilfred Mangoe won the men’s race in 28:18:08 leaving Philip Langat (28:34:07) and Gordon Mugi (28:38:01) in his wake.

Meanwhile winning athletes had to undergo mandatory drug tests immediately after the Nairobi Marathon. Apart from the winners, race organisers picked at random athletes for testing a move an official said is procedural.

"The samples will be taken to a South Africa lab and we expect the results in two to three weeks," the doctor who is not authorised to speak to the media said.

Winners Moses Kigen (42km men) and Irene Jerotich (women) were whisked away to the AAR tent where samples were taken.