Kibarus, Mitei rule at Kecoso Half Marathon

Mercy Kibarus (left) outpaces Eunice Chebichi during Kecoso half Marathon in Eldoret. Kibarus won the race after clocking 1:12.77

Mercy Kibarus, who recently won the Family Bank Half Marathon and 2013 Brussels IAAF 12km silver medalist Amos Kiplimo Mitei are the winners of the Kenya Communication Sports Organisation (Kecoso) games women and men's half marathon.

But after winning the Iten 10km Safaricom Road Race last week, Kibarus had to fight hard to victory. Eunice Jebichii stopped the clock in 72:77.00 to win in the women's category ahead of Emily Chemutai (73:05.00).

Kibarus broke way on the last loop to win the race in 72:77.00, breaking the long Kecoso record which stood at 82:00. "I had to break away to give myself a chance to win by a big margin. I was using this race to gauge my form," Kibarus told FeverPitch.

"The weather favoured me a lot, I ran in the same style as I had planned after preparing for this race for about a week," she added.

The two champions each took home Sh250,000 winners prize in the event that attracted athletes from neighbouring counties like Baringo, Nandi, Pokot and Trans Nzoia, Sunday.

Jebichii, who won in 73:05, said: "I had been practicing to ensure that I win any race ahead of me." 

Emily Chemutai closed the podium finish at 73:35 followed by  Mercy Too (73:45), Beatrice Ruto (73:59), Peris Chepchirchir (74:22), Naomi Maiyo (75:02), Marion Limo (75:18), Sarah Chepchirchir (75:34) and Pamela Jemeli (75:42) in that order.

In the men's category, Amos Kiplimo Mitei, who has been suffering a tendon injury since February, beat 413 competitors to win the race.

Mitei had to fight hard to win the race to cut the tape in 62:38 in the hotly contested race that had the likes of Kirui Chesang and Solomon Kirwa. Chesang (72:56) finished second ahead of Kirwa (72:59).

Others were Boaz Kiprono (73:17), Gideon Kipketer (73:35), Mike Kigen (73:80); daniel Kiprotich (73:86); Daniel Kemboi (73:89); Barnabas Kosgey (73:90) and Kerich Kimweli (73:93) in that order.

Kecoso officials accompanied by coach David Letting and Central Rift Athletics Kenya chairman Abraham Mutai said the event has improved, owing to high standards of competition witnessed Sunday.

Other officials in attendance included Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago, former marathoner Moses Tanui, Kecoso chairman Mutua Muthusi and Communications Authority chairman Samuel Pogishio.