Rotich stars in Kisumu: Kiprono secures victory in the men’s marathon race in the lake side city

By Phillip Orwa

Athletes compete in yesterday’s Safaricom Kisumu marathon. Nancy Joan Rotich and Boaz Kiprono won in the women’s and men’s races respectively. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

Nancy Joan Rotich and Boaz Kiprono are the new winners of the Safaricom Kisumu Marathon, which was held yesterday along the lakeside city streets.

Rotich, 25, and Kiprono, 26, braved stiff challenges from their opponents to stake claim to the crowns. Rotich clocked 2:42:34 while Kioprono took just 2:18:08 to claim the victory and pocketed the Sh200, 000 prize money.

Rotich, who also won the Venlo Half Marathon in 2011 in 1:12:42 and this year’s Munster marathon (2:33:56), expressed her joy for her feat in Kisumu Marathon, which has grown in stature owing to the fast times and deep field of elite runners.

“It was my first time taking part in the Kisumu Marathon. The Kisumu weather was very humid but I stayed close with the men that gave me the inspiration to push for the win. They were like my pace setters,” said Rotich, who had her coach Gerard Van De Veen from Netherlands by her side.

On the other hand Kiprono, who won the race in presence of his home Governor Jackson Mandago, said he was happy with the achievement.

Running history

“I have previously participated in Ndalat Cross Country and finished seventh. I also took part in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon and emerged in position 25 in 2011. This was my debut show in Kisumu and I am happy my Governor was here to witness my win,” said Kiprono.

He was followed in the second position by Samson Kibor also from Usain Gishu who was timed at 2:18:32 while in the third position was Emmanuel Tirop clocking 2:18:40. Peter Kibet came in fourth after clocking 2:20:19 while in the fifth position was Julius Rugut, who took 2:21:15, to clear the 42.2 km race.

In the women’s race, Rotich clocked 2:42:34 to edge out her closest rival Irene Mogaka from Kisii County (2:45:37) to second place followed by Peres Chepchirchir who was timed at 2:47:33. Janet Cheruto and Rosaline David clocked 2:48:07 and 2:48:07 respectively for the fourth and fifth positions.

Six kilometres

 In the six-kilometre race Joseph Okello clocked 21:20.0 to win ahead of Benson Onyango, who timed 21:21.1 and Andrew Otieno who timed 22:03.6.

In the 4.5km race, Tobias Owuor (13:18.1), George Owuor (13:18.4) and Dennis Amollo (13:20.0) took the top three positions in that order.

In the children’s three Kilometre race, Roselyn Atieno clocked 10:54.7 to emerge the winner followed by Florence Atieno in 10:58.04 and Veronica Atieno (11:22.6) to claim the top three spots.

The race was flagged off by Usain Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago having been invited by Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma.

Mandago said that Nyanza was one of the best areas with good weather that can be used for training.

“Nandi, Usain Gishu, Eldoret and Nyanza have the humidity that is best for athletes training. I challenge you to use the opportunity and start training, we can give you some of our former marathoners to help you,” said Mandago.

Athletics Kenya Vice President David Okeyo, regional Chairman Joseph Ochieng’, Peter Agwenyi (AK Chairman Nyanza South), Kisumu Executive Officer in-charge of Sports Jennifer Kerre, Coca-Cola PRO Norma Asimba and Kisumu County Commissioner Lorna Odero were also present.

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