Peter Emase finishes in position one in the Senior men category during the Discovery Cross Country race at the Eldoret Sports Club in Eldoret. Emase stated that he hopes to represent the country during the World Cross Country races. 25-01-2015. PHOTOS BY: KEVIN TUNOI
Peter Emase, the reigning Villa de Madrid 21km winner, beat a classy field to win the second edition of Lari half marathon in Kiambu County on Saturday.
Emase, who trains under Run Fast Athletics Club in Iten, blasted off from a forest of legs with four kilometres left to open a wide gap.
The 22-year-old Emase then employed an electric pace that left the field of athletes to win in 70 minutes ahead of Gibret Maasai (71.1) and homeboy Charles Kimeri (72.3).
Hosea Nailel, who boasts an impressive 58:33 he posted at the Paris half marathon, returned fourth as Nobert Kigen (72.9) and Emmanuel Ruto (73.1) checked in fifth and sixth respectively.
"The race was quite challenging but my biggest problem was that the course was dusty and I experienced difficulty in breathing," said Emase, the 2014 winner of Discovery Half Marathon run in Eldoret.
READ MORE
Kiambu MPs put in spot over health sector claims
Kiambu County, MCA to pay golf club Sh3m for property destruction in lease battle
How easy access to financial inclusion is driving business growth in Kiambu
Village reels after two men take their lives in land-sale tragedies
"The course was a bit longer with undulating hills. It measures 22.9km, way longer than the 21km recommended standards, which I could have done better," said Emase, who won 2013 Swansea Bay 10km race in 28:44.
Benard Katwi of Makueni County snatched men's 10km title in 30.03 after he outfoxed fellow athletes Martin Ng'ang'a (30.15) and Alex Mutiso (3o.45).
In the women's front, Delvin Mekingor wore the crown in (79.3) after beating Iten-based Risper Chebet (80.4) and Mercy Chemtai (81.6)). Beatrice Cherop (87.9) and Millicent Ruto (88.5) were fourth and fifth.
Karegwa Muchiri, the race organiser and executive director of Capacity Africa, said Lewa Half Marathon serves to create conservation awareness on Kereita Forest, which is an important water tower in this region.
Muchiri said it gives the region an opportunity to tap local talent, noting that the next edition will attract more athletes.
"We would like to ask as many corporates to support such initiatives since they impact on society positively," said Muchiri.
