Kenneth Kimeng’wa, Agnes Tirop bag Baringo prize

By BEN AHENDA

Kenneth Kimeng’wa of Mount Elgon and Agnes Tirop of Elgeyo Marakwet went home richer after emerging victorious in the annual Baringo Half Marathon in Kabarnet town on Sunday.

As a result, the duo have earned a one-year training stint in Ethiopia besides taking part in the Ethiopian Great Run Championships and other international championships, according to the race patron and founder Paul Tergat.

Tergat said he would continue with the spirit of tapping talents at the grassroots from such races and establish more training centres to nurture talents.

This year’s Baringo Half marathon was sponsored by ABC Bank, the Standard Group and Paul Tergat Foundation.

Kimeng’wa timed 1hour  03min  59secs while Tirop registered 1:13.43 for each of them to take home Sh100,000 presented to them by Tergat at Museum Grounds in Kabarnet Town on Sunday.

A jubilant Kimeng’wa, who was making his debut in a major road race, said the victory has buoyed him to feature in more national and international races.

cold weather

According to the winner, he had been affected by the cold weather conditions in the steep and sloppy route of the road race.

“The victory has given me morale to prepare for future national and international road races,” he said.

“It is a major boost in my career, which I have just started with a victory.”

On her part, Tirop said the race was tactical as well as cool weather conditions which had also affected her game plan having been given a run for her money by former world 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio and Esther Chemutai in the first 10km.

“I’m now focused on the future international championships from February next year,” she said.

Kimeng’wa was followed by Hillary Kemboi of Metkei  in 1:03.59 while Nicholas Kerich of Kericho was third clocking 1:04.40.

Others were Peter Chesang of Baringo in 1:04.07 and teammate Josephat Kiprop in 1:04.17 with Ossen Mailel of Eldoret timing 1:04.48.

Eunice Chumba of Uasin Gishu emerged runners up in the women’s 21km race in 1:15.33 and was followed by  Visiline Jepkesho of Kapsabet (1:16.09) while Lucy Lavoga of Kericho was fourth (1:16.49).

Others were Marion Limo of Eldoret (1:17.15), Esther Chemutai of Iten (1:17.18) and Dorcas Chesang of Iten (1:17.31).

The first ten finishers in all categories of races were awarded with cash prizes.

The three Ethiopian runners who featured in the race failed to make it to the bracket of the first ten finishers.

The best placed Ethiopian was Addisalem Demeke, who finished 14th, but said she would honour future races if invited by local organisers.

Speaking through an interpreter, Demeke said she was happy to be in Kenya for the long races “but I’ll come for more if invited in good time”.

–bahendandardmedia.co.ke