Athletics: Nicholas Togom and Philies Ongori win Safaricom Imenti run

By Jonathan Komen

Togom, Ongori win Safaricom  Imenti run

Former Africa cross-country junior champion, Nicholas Togom, and Philies Ongori are the winners of the Safaricom Imenti 15km race held in Nkubu town in Meru County.

Togom, the younger son of Kenya’s first world cross-country medallist, the late Some Muge, used the showpiece to prepare for the second Confederation of Africa Athletics cross-country championships in Uganda next year.

The alumnus of Cheptil High School in Nandi County blasted off from the leading pack midway through the race to stop the timer in 49:13.00 and take home the Sh50,000 winner’s prize.

Lewis Nyariki (49:26.04) of Nyahururu and training mate Samuel Theuri (49:33.00) sealed the podium places as Stephen Mungathia, last year’s runner-up, settled for the 10th spot.

Things worked well for the 2009 World Half Marathon silver medallist Ongori, who returned in 58:35.05, forcing Winny Jepkorir, the reigning Nanjing Marathon Relay champion, to second place in 58:53.00 as Margaret Wamaitha came third in 1:00.15.

Buenos Aires marathon champion Lucy Karimi finished sixth in 1:00.50 and wore the local athlete’s crown.

big boost

Ongori, who hails from Kisii, said she used the event to prepare for the 117th Boston Marathon next year. “This win is a big boost as the course is hilly just like the Boston Marathon course,” she said.

Togom said he would compete in the third leg of KCB/AK cross-country meetings in Kangaru, Embu, on Saturday.

The event’s patron and Imenti South MP Kiraitu Murungi pledged Sh800,000 from the Constituency Fund to refurbish Nkubu Stadium. Mount Kenya University promised to partner with the Meru government to improve the facility.

The event organisers appointed 3,000m indoor and outdoor world champion Daniel Komen as its ambassadors. Over 500 runners took part in the race, up from last year’s 300.