New kass champs: Kiplagat, Chelang’at triumph in massive Eldoret marathon

By Jonathan Komen

Little known Thomas Kiplagat and reigning Prague half marathon champion Alice Chelang’at won their races at the seventh Kass Marathon run in Eldoret.

Kass Marathon, which is staged in the region with the highest number of world beating athletes, proved elusive for a title defence bid once again as 2012 winner Agnes Jepkosgei and Weldon Kirui failed to break the jinx yesterday.

 Kiplagat and Chelang’at produced brilliant shows to wow the huge crowds –among them three governors, two MPs –and world marathon superstars Mary Keitany and Edna Kiplagat.

It was particularly sweet victory for the 26-year-old Kiplagat, who could work in his neighbours’ farms in Kaptagat Forest at the height of shamba system to get money to buy training kits.

But Kiplagat, who made his first stint in marathon at the Kimbilio Marathon and dropped off mid-stream a month ago, blew away from the leading pack that had newcomers Felix Kangogo and Benjamin Koech at the hill near Eldoret International Airport.

The Kaptagat-based runner blasted off from a forest of legs at 30km to win in 2:18.19 and crown the Sh1.5 million top prize.

Felix Kangogo (2:18:3), Benjamin Koech (2:20:1) and Peter Sitienei (2:20.09) came in second, third and fourth as Alex Bartilol (2:20.46), Lawrence Kiprotich (2:21.32) and Meshack Kosgei (2:22.16) followed. Kirui disappeared off the radar mid-stream.

Kiplagat, who started while a pupil at Chepkosom Primary in Elgeyo Boarder, quipped: “I braved numerous challenges during my schooling. I could do odd casual jobs; get money to use in training camp.”

“I got disheartened when the hard training couldn’t earn me money,” added Kiplagat, the alumnus of Tembelio Secondary.

He holds a diploma in guiding and counseling from Ndejje University in Uganda and that has kept his urge to excel in athletics.

Kiplagat’s motivation

“My neighbour Samson Barmao won the Standard Marathon in 2005 and I got encouraged with the way his life changed. I never went past provincial competitions while in school,” said Kiplagat, the last born in a family of six.

But Alice Chelagat, who won the inaugural Standard Chartered Marathon in 2003, dared the newcomer’s jinx.

She dashed Agnes Jepkosgei’s title defence bid after storming into the lead at the 10km mark, leaving Jepkosgei to do the chasing.

Chelanga’at, who hails from Kerongo Village in Kericho County, then employed an electric pace to win in 2:40:0 ahead of Jepkosgei (2:43.16) and Gladys Rutto (2:44.57).

Borness Jepkirui Kitur (2:45.52), Rose Kipyego (2:46.22) and Pricilla Lorchima (2:47.57) sealed the top six spots.

Chelang’at, a member of the Athens Olympic team, said she won the race with ease.

 “Winning at home was a pleasure for me. Even beating the defending champion was a great achievement for me,” said Chelang’at.

–jkkomen@standardmedia.co.ke