TRIUMPHANT RETURN: Kisorio wins Ndakaini Half Marathon as Chesir rules the women's category

Mathwe Kisorio. [PHOTO:FILE/STANDARD]

Former Philadelphia Half Marathon champion Mathew Kisorio and 2010 World Youth 30000m champion Gladys Chesir are the new winners of the 11th edition of UAP Ndakaini Half Marathon in Muranga County.

Kisorio, fresh from winning the Safaricom Bondo 15 kilometre Road Race last weekend, clocked 1:04.50 to lift the men’s category title in his first attempt of Ndakaini yesterday.

Mathew Kisorio

Likewise, Chesir, who was participating in the Ndakaini Half Marathon for the first time clocked 1:05.37 to win the women’s title. That was her first ever half marathon race.

“I am glad to have made a come back after after a two-year ban which was frustrating,” said Kisorio, 25. “I used that absence to prepare well and I am happy it is paying off.”

HILLY TERRAIN

The 2011 berlin winner added that he wants to now “run a few races in Kenya including the Masai Mara and the Standard Chartered Nairobi International marathons before I start looking for road races abroad.”

Chesir beat other seasoned athletes like Peninah Arusei and Ines Chenonge to win the women’s category under chilly, foggy Ndakaini weather.

She said the the hilly terrain made the race tough.

“I have been taking part in the 3000 metres and 5000 metres races for long but today I have embarked on half marathon to slowly introduce myself to full marathon races which I want to take part in soon,” said Chesir who was third in the Iten 10-kilometre race last month.

Once she is back at her Global Training Camp base in Iten, Chesir said she will embark on preparations for the 2015 World Cross Country contest.

The UAP Insurance Managing Director, James Wambugu was happy at the turn out and said they registered 3,600 athletes for this year’s race.