By STANLEY ONGWAE

Lucy Liavoga, winner of women’s 10 km Awendo road race. [PHOTO: STANLEY ONGWAE]

Josphat Kiprop and Lucy Liavoga from Baringo and Kericho Counties respectively won inaugural Athletics Kenya (AK) Awendo Road Race yesterday in Awendo town.

Kiprop beat more than 100 other competitors clocking 29:04.91 while Isaac Kipkoech of Kericho crossing 10 seconds later as Henry Chirchir also from Kericho coming third.

In the women’s race, Liavoga gained a comfortable lead from the beginning of the race that was started from Chwelo area to the finishing line.

The 25-year-old athlete finished in time of 33:58.85. She participated in the Amsterdam Half Marathon last year and has a best record of 32:48.00 in 10km race and 54:54.03 in 15kms.

However, she said she did not have enough competition to bring out her best time as she ran a relaxed race.

“I can say there were no good competitors who could push me to run for the best time. That is why I could not record an impressive run,” said Liavoga.

Second position

Rebecca Talam from Nandi County grabbed the second position after clocking 35:02.15.

Kenya Prisons runner Nancy Kimaiyo finished third by crossing the finish line in 35:07.42.

The presence of local champion Hyrine Mong’are, Commonwealth silver medalist Irene Mogaka and Mercy Nyakundi was never felt after they registered a negative  performance.

Mogaka finished at position six in a time of 36:01.05 while Mong’are and Nyakundi finished at position nine and 11 after touching the finish line in a time of 37:02.79 and 39:17.94 respectively.

The race, dominated by athletes from the South Rift, Nyamira and Kisii was sponsored by the County Government of Migori.

 Migori County AK secretary Ken Boro said, “we are going to plan as many athletics events as possible for us to improve the standard of the sport in this region.”

The winners of the race were awarded with sh40,000 while first and second runners-up were rewarded with sh25,000 and sh15,000 each.

Fastest three runners from the host county also received Sh10, 000, Sh7, 000 and Sh2, 000.