Kiprotich, Jepkoech crowned BingwaFest national champions

Titus Kiprotich and Maurine Jepkoech are the 10,000m BingwaFest national champions.

The two were yesterday rewarded after their exploits on the track at the ongoing national finals at Mambolea Stadium, Kisumu.

They won the titles at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium, Siaya on Thursday, but received their prize money during the event's official opening ceremony in Kisumu on Friday.

Following their triumphs, the two walked away Sh400,000 richer to have a share of the Sh12 million purse prize that was up for grabs in athletics in the multi-discipline sports extravaganza set to culminate at Mamboleo Stadium tomorrow.

The first and second runners-up over 10,000m pocketed Sh350,000 and Sh300,000, respectively. Athletes who finished fourth and fifth to round off the prize bracket received Sh200,000 and Sh100,000, in that order.

Kiprotich kicked hard in the final lap to cut the tape in 28:19.3 and finish first ahead of Ribert Kiprop and Kenneth Kiprono who timed 28:22.2 and 28:24.4, respectively, to seal the podium.

On her part, Jepkoech stopped the clock at 33:22.8, with Miriam Chebet (33:23.5) and Mercy Cherono (33:24.1) settling for the second and third places respectively.

In the 5,000m race, Amason Sampao and Loice Chepkemoi emerged victorious in the men's and women's categories, respectively. Sampao's time of 13:36.6 saw him beat Victor Kipruto and Nehemia Kirui who were second and third. In the women's race, Chepkemoi (15:30.4) was followed by Caren Jebet (15:31.3) and Daisila Cherono (15:31.8).

The winners over 5,000m took home Sh350,000, while the second and third place finishers won Sh250,000 and Sh200,000, respectively. The fourth and fifth received Sh150,000 and Sh100,000 each.

Ronald Kipkorir (3:35.9) won the men's 1,500m followed by Mathew Kipsang and Ngeno Kipngetich while Purity Chepkirui claimed the women's race with Miriam Cheprop and Vivian Chebet taking the second and third places respectively.

Mercy Oketch, who headlines Kenya's 400m team for the World Athletics Relays in China, stormed to victory in 51.4 followed by Mercy Chebet (51.8) as Gladys Jepkemboi (52.3) finished third. Zablon Ekwam (44.5) won the men's race followed by Kelvin Kipkorir and David Sanayek.

Meanwhile, football entered the semi-final stage on Friday, as basketball tipped off at the Mamboleo Stadium while rugby kicked off at the Kisumu Polytechnic.

24 rugby teams (16 men, 8 women) and the top 32 basketball teams (16 men and 16 women) will contest for the top honours in the two sports.

Winners in football and rugby, both men and women, will be awarded Sh2.5 million each (Sh1.5 million in cash and Sh1 million in kind to a charity of choice in their region), while the winning teams in the 33 basketball will go home Sh750,000 richer and receive Sh1 million in kind to a charity of choice in their region as well.