By Daniel Nzia

Nairobi,Kenya:World Half Marathon bronze medallist John Mwangangi and greenhorn Mutheu Kamakya Mutuku powered to victory in the Peter Mulei Half Marathon on Saturday.

The event was marking its third edition and was staged  at the Machakos Golf Club.

Mwangangi was timed at one hour three minutes and 30 seconds to bag Sh60, 000. Ronny Kibos of Eldoret came second (1:03.43) and Peter Kiplagat claimed the third position, clocking 1:04.15.

Mwangangi, a former Africa Cross-country senior men’s champion, has now set his sights on the Valencia Half Marathon scheduled for October 20 and he is upbeat about recording a stunning performance.

“I have run four races so far this year. This one was tough but I was determined to come  out the best. I’m now focusing on the Valencia Marathon later this month.”

“Experience helped me today as I encountered a tight challenge from Kibos. This is my homeland and I had to give the race my best,” he said.

According to the 23-year-old, he came second to Jackson Limo last year due to fatigue, having participated in cross-country a week to the Peter Mulei race.

The race took shape 7km to the finish line, with the trio of Mwangangi, Kibos and Kiplagat engaging in a fierce tussle.

Two kilometres to the finishing mark, it looked as if Kibos, who was leading, would settle the matter. But hard-fighting Mwangangi used his experience to outsprint him and took charge one kilometre to the tape.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Vice President Peter Mutwii, Nairobi AK boss Barnaba Korir and former World Cross-country champion John Ngugi graced the event that attracted about 2,000 participants.

In the women’s category, Kamakya from Masii, Machakos, beat a strong field to emerge the best, clocking 1:14.52. Kamakya only decided to run after seeing her husband’s performance last year, when he came fifth, and she did not regret taking the gamble.

After the halfway mark, the runner who trains in the Ngong Hills, took command of the lead and held on to the end, beating Mumbua Kioko who finished second (1:15.10) and Eldoret’s Prisca Bartenge who came third (1:15.21).

“Last year my husband participated here and came fifth and this encouraged me to run this year,” said Kamakya.

“The win motivates me to train hard for the next race, a half marathon in Europe, in which I intend to participate later this year.”

The best ten athletes in both categories were rewarded. Earlier in the day, participants enjoyed a 10km road race and a 3km family fun           race.  — dnzia@standardmedia.co.ke