Tumuti bags silver as Kenya lifts team trophy in Canada

Kenyan runners Dennis Tumuti and Hannah Gathingi won silver and bronze in the 2023 Heart Lake Run 5km held in Brampton, Canada on Sunday.

Tumuti clocked 14:27 to win silver in the men's 5km category in the high octane race won by homeboy Andrew Davies who breezed to the tape in 14:20 to clinch gold. Bronze went to Dylan Alick, also of Canada, who stopped the clock in 14:29.

Salome Nyirarukundo of Rwanda clocked 17:18 to win the women's 5km category as Ana Laura Fray (18:58) of Canada and Gathingi (19:48) won silver and bronze in that order.

Team Kenya, steered by the Kenya High Commission officials, won the overall team trophy as Eritrea won the Best Turnout Trophy.

"The competition was good, it was tough but we did our best, I fought to my level best, I expect to do better next time," Tumuti told Standard Sports.

Davies was contented with the event organisation and was equally surprised by the pace that was displayed in the contest.

"The race was tough, I just tried to stay near the front and made my move on the last stretch home," Davies said.

By Wednesday last week, Alick had not gotten wind of the competition, it was only when he stepped on the same track that day for a 5000m contest that a team mate informed him about the upcoming Heart Lake Run on Sunday.

"I immediately thought we got an opportunity to come out there and show what I got and also support the community.

"It was a good race, I really enjoyed the competition. A big thank you to all the organizers, they put a lot of efforts to organise this race like closing the roads.

"More thank you to the organizers who supervised the race to give us some good competition. I'm really happy, I'm really excited to have taken part in this championship," Alick stated.

The event was graced by Mayor of Brampton His Worship Patrick Brown, Brampton North Member of Parliament Honourable Ruby Sahota, Brampton Centre Member of Parliament Honourable Shafqat Ali, Ontario Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity of Ontario Honourable Charmaine Williams and Brampton City Councillor Rod Power.

Apart from the 5K Road Race, the event also featured Plogging and 1K Kid Dash. "Plogging" entails running, walking or jogging while collecting used plastic or litter along the route.

"The event is sanctioned by Athletics Ontario. The 5K course is certified by Athletics Canada and World Athletics. This is arguably the best 5K route in Canada with its relatively flat course," Founder and Race Director Ephraim Njoroge Mwaura said.

"It offered the best cash prize package in Canada. The top five overall in the men and women's categories were rewarded," added Mwaura who is also the Kenyan Canadian Association President.

The Heart Lake Run is an initiative in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Climate Action, Life below Water and Life on Land.

The 2023 Heart Lake Run Prize Money

Winner - $1000

2nd Place - $750

3rd Place - $500

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $200