By Ben Ahenda
Berlin Half marathon champion Valentine Keter from Keiyo took just one hour 15 minutes and 42 seconds to triumph in the inaugural Kabarak Half Marathon race Friday.
Briston marathon champion Peter Kemeli triumphed in the men race. Kemeli (2:10.16), who won the Briston Marathon in May, clocked 1:05.34 to win the 21km race. Victor Kipchirchir finished as runners up with a time record of 1:05.39.6 ahead of Joel Kimurer 1:05.40.
The winners walked away with a Jersey heifer worth Sh120,000 and a cheque of Sh100,000 presented to them by former President Daniel Arap Moi who was the Chief Guest.
Second placed Chemutai (women) and Kipchirchir (men) got a complimentary ticket to Lake Bogoria Lodge and a cheque worth Sh50,000 while Chepkemoi (women) and Kimurer (men) took home Sh25,000 and a complimentary ticket to Lake Bogoria Lodge.
In the women race, Keter opened a gap of 200m against her rival Esther Chemutai at Kasaram and never looked back. Chemutai who comes from Iten was timed at one hour 17 minutes and 32 seconds for second spot ahead of Vicoty Chepkemoi of Olenguoruone 1:18.00 in a race staged under scotching sun. The race started at Mogotio with the finishing point at Kabarak University.
Keter said it was a tough race and attributed her victory to her experience after she had participated in the Hamburg Marathon in May, although she never finished in the medal bracket.
Show of class
Peter Kemeli, who is the Briston marathon champion, showed his class in a classy field to triumph in the men race. Kemeli (2:10.16), who won the Briston Marathon in May clocked 1:05.34 to win the 21km race.
President Moi flagged off the race in Mogotio. Victor Kipchirchir finished as runners up with a time record of 1:05.39.6 ahead of Joel Kimurer 1:05.40.
In the men’s 5km race, Victor Kosgei of Co-operative Bank clocked 14 minutes 28.14 seconds to win the corporate category followed by team mate Philip Kimeli 14:42.1 with Moses Kiptoo also of Co-operative Bank third in 14:42.15.
In the women race, Pauline Wanjiku of Kemu, Meru won in 15 minutes 54.03 seconds. She was followed by teammates Nancy Kature 16:03. 2 and Frashia Nyambura in 16:16.00.
