Murage edges Ethiopians to win inaugural CANKEN Road Race in Canada
Athletics
By
ERICK OCHIENG'
| Sep 23, 2016
Kenya’s Jane Murage is the winner of the inaugural CanKen 5km Road Race held in Canada yesterday. Murage of Team Umoja clocked 17.16 to win the race which was a battle affair between Kenyans and Ethiopians.
Besides the victory that earned her a gold medal to boot, Murage went home with C$ 1,500 (Sh115,000) prize money which was up for grabs in the category. Dehininet Jara of Ethiopia clocked 18.11 and her fellow country mate Abeha Yeabsira ended the tape in 19.24 to win second and third places.
Jara and Yeabsira are based at the Toronto Olympic Club camp. However, the race was fast pace for Toronto Marathon 10km champion Winnie Chebet who ended the contest in fifth place behind Lucy Njeri.
Kenyans were outclassed in the men’s category by Ethiopians who dominated the first two top positions. Hajin Tola emerged men’s winner with an impressive time of 14.9. Second position went to Abreham Wagaye who clocked 14.57 while Kenya’s Evans Maiko also of Team Umoja bagged third place in 15.00.
The first three positions in both men and women categories were awarded cash prizes by the organizers. The event also had a masters 5km Road Run which went to Jeannette Chau in 28.46 and Predrag Mladenovic in 16.34 in the women and men’s categories.
The Toronto Olympic Club won the team trophy for fastest average time and Team Umoja won the largest turn out trophy. The event was graced by various dignitaries and invited guests including the Deputy Kenya High Commissioner to Canada Ambassador Jane Onsongo.
The Kenya Tourism Board also embraced the event by taking part in a three day tourism expo opened by the Kenya High Commissioner to Canada H.E. Ambassadour. John L. Lanyasunya. The trade expo was meant to strengthen Kenya and Canada ties as well as improve Kenya’s relations with the other African markets.
“The annual event is expected to facilitate very cordial bilateral relations as well as boost Tourism and Trade between Kenya, Canada,” noted Eliud Lagat, CanKen Sports Club President.
The CanKen 5km Road Race is certified by AIMS/IAAF and accredited by Athletics Canada. It is organized by CanKen Sports Club in support of KidFit Program at Trillium Health Partners, which is one of the largest hospital groups in Canada.