Seeing is believing as Kigen, Chirchir triumph at Standard Chartered marathon

Justus Kiprop wins 21KM race at the 20th Edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon at Uhuru Gardens, Langata Road on Sunday, 29th October, 2023 [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Alphonce Kigen from Kaptagat and Evaline Chirchir from Keringet are the latest millionaires in town.

The duo struck gold in the 20th edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon held in the Kenyan capital, yesterday.

Their feats in the men and women's 42km categories respectively earned them Sh2 million each.

Kigen clocked 2:10:18 to dethrone Elias Kemboi from the men's title as Moses Mwangi (2:10:26) and Patrick Chirchir (2:11:59) came in second and third.

Mwangi got Sh750,000 while Chirchir pocketed Sh500,000.

Meanwhile, Chirchir stopped the clock in 2:24:31 to upstage last year's women's winner Sheila Chepkoech.

Martha Simiyu (2:26:45) and Aurela Jerotich (2:26:49) finished second and third respectively.

Kigen, the 2022 Padova Marathon (Italy) champion, missed the course record by six seconds while blazing to the tape.

The 26-year-old used the cut-throat race to close his season in style.

The 2016 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (Madrid) bronze medallist was happy with the deserved victory saying;

"In 2021, I finished second and went back to the drawing board, did my homework well and I'm glad the results can be seen today," he said.

"Ahead of the contest, I had a three-month training session in Kaptagat. That, combined with today's favourable weather conditions, propelled me to the top of the podium. I'm really happy."

On the other hand, Chirchir extended her half marathon exploits last season into the full race which she is glad was iced with sweet victory.

She was elated after dethroning of Chepkoech from the women's title.

Chepkoech was forced to lick her wounds after finishing a distant fourth in 2:27:16. 

"It's the first time I'm venturing into full marathon and I'm happy that I have started it with a bang," the 2019 Dam Tot Damloop 10 Miles champion told Standard Sports.

"The course was flat enough and there were no challenging hills like other races I have competed in abroad," said Chirchir.

Ahead of the race, Chirchir stepped up training at her base in Keringet, Nakuru County under head coach Josphat Bett.

"I won this race due to great practice in Nakuru. I'm now inspired to venture into full marathon. I will be more serious in this category," the 2019 Durban Citysurfrun 10K runner-up said.

And what's next for the 2023 Antrim Coast Half Marathon runner-up?

"I feel so motivated now. Next year I'm targeting Berlin and London marathons. I want to have those trophies in my cabinet," the 2023 Instanbul Half Marathon bronze winner said.

At the same time, newcomer Jackline Chelal (1:11:18) and Justus Kiprop (1:02:39) emerged winners of the men and women's 21km categories.

Chelal from Iten attributed her victory to intense training she had in Eldoret for two months.

She was using the race to prepare for the forthcoming Valencia Marathon in Spain.

"The race was tough, but the course favoured me. I didn't feel any competition at all," she said.