Kiptum, Chepng’eno star in Nandi race

MARATHON NANDI. Abraham Kiptum negotiates a corner before wining the 21 kilometers men race during Nandi Tea Sameer Half Marathon 2016.

Abraham Kiptum and Jackline Chepng'eno won the inaugural Nandi Tea Half Marathon titles in Nandi Hills yesterday.

Kiptum, who is the the reigning Lagos marathon winner and Chepng'eno, 2009 world cross country junior bronze medallist, were in fine form, destroying the field at will.

Kiptum had no better place to re-affirm his athletic might after he caused a stir on the social media when he staged a brilliant show in Lagos some months ago.

He stuck with the leading pack from the start point in Kamobo near Kapsabet town, steadily controlling the race even as Isaac Kipkoech and Daniel Kiprotich kept in touch.

As he approached the tea plantations in Nandi Hills, Kiptum broke away before strolling to victory in 1:05.30.

Kipkoech (1:05.35) and Daniel Kiprotich (1:06.3) checked in second and third as Shadrack Korir settled for fourth in 1:06.20 ahead of Amos Kiplagat (1:06.25).

"I was calculating my moves well. I schemed on how to beat Kipkoech. It was not easy as we ran side by side from the start. I engaged my final gear towards the finish point as we climbed the hill and he was clearly exhausted," said Kiptum.

Chepng'etich, who won the world cross country bronze while a pupil at Kiptere Primary School in Kericho County, shrugged off stiff challenge to take home Sh500,000 top prize.

She won in 1:14.30 ahead of Jane Jelagat (1:14.53) and Edith Jelimo (1:15.48).

"The course was very tough, but I controlled my moves. I long to compete at the Olympics," she said.