Half marathon: Ng’eno, Meringor shine at Chemususu half marathon race

Bernard Ng’eno and Derivine Meringor won the men’s and women’s races at the fifth Chemususu Dam Half Marathon in Baringo County yesterday.

Ng’eno clocked 62.50 to win the men’s race while Meringor hit 73.21 to wear the women’s crown.

In the men’s race, Philip Langat returned second in 63.52 as Alex Kibet sealed the podium places in 63:53. Festus Cheboi (64.41) and Jackson Kemboi (64.49) wrapped up the top five slots.

It was a sweet victory for Ng’eno who posted his first win since 2015 and he attributed it to intense training on hilly terrain in Bomet. “I have been training a lot to ensure I win at least a race at home. The irony is that I have been performing well abroad and poorly back home,” he said.

Ng’eno said the race was a dress rehearsals for Valencia Half Marathon next month.

“This was part of my training programme in preparation of Valencia, where I hope to win the title,” said Ng’eno, who placed sixth at the sixth Kisii Half Marathon last month. He stormed into the lead with just a kilometre into the race and controlled it to the finish.

In the women’s race, the 2002 World Half Marathon bronze medallist Paskalia Jepkorir returned 74.03 to finish second while Lydia Njeri was third in 74.23.

Josephine Jepkoech (75.03) and Ruth Jebitok (75.08) followed while former Berlin Half Marathon champion Valentine Jepketer (74.03) was relegated to sixth. The 21km race started at Maji Mazuri area and ended at Metipso Primary School grounds. [Ben Ahenda]