Kipkorir, Chepchirir triumph at Standard Chartered Marathon as Kibitok, Ayabei topped the 21km category

STANDARD CHARTERED NAIROBI MARATHON 42km men's race in action during the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on 26th November 2017.PHOTO:WILBERFORCE OKWIRI

Kiptoo finishes second while event champion became third

Kipkorir, Chepchirir triumph at Standard Chart Marathon

Brimin Kipkorir and Celestine Chepchirir triumphed at the 15th edition of the Standard Chartered Marathon in Nairobi yesterday, clocking 2:12:39 and 2:31:41 respectively to take home the top prize of Sh1.5 million.

Little known Kipkorir overcame a fall at the start of the race, rainy morning condition and a duel with Shadrack Kiptoo, Joshuar Kipkorir and John Kipsang Lotiang over the last two kilometres to emerge victorious in his first major marathon.

Kiptoo was second after crossing the tape in 2:12:52 while the 2015 champion Kipkorir came in third in a time of 2:13:27.

“I am surprised with my performance having slipped to the ground at the start and there was a lot of pushing and shoving. I am thankful for the victory in my debut in the Standard Chartered Marathon,” said Kipkorir.

Joshuar Kipkorir said: “The course was very slippery, but I am satisfied with my performance, the winner was very strong.”

In the women’s full marathon, a large group of 10 runners passed through the halfway point in 1:16:49 - the pace stayed steady to 30km before Chepchirir, a 22-year-old from Nandi broke away to win the race.

Kellen Waithira stopped the clocked in 2:35:05 to finish a distant second to edge out Peris Jepkorir (2:35:17) who finished third.

“I needed this victory because I believe it will help me secure a manager and major races outside the country. In October this year, I won 10km race at the Mombasa International Marathon” said Chepchirchir.

Chepchirchir finished in seventh and tenth place at Laikipia and Family Bank half marathons respectively.

Half marathon.

In the 21km category, Felix Kibitok and the 2017 Prague Marathon champion Valarie Ayabei carried the day. 

Ezekiel Mutai from Kaptagat finished second while Patrick Kipkorir wrapped the podium finish.

“I am a first timer here, the condition was very bad and my target was to finish in top ten. I am glad to have won the race. At 17km point, I knew was capable of victory, my body was still very strong and I kept on pushing,” said the 25-year-old who trains in Kapsabet.

Fast rising Aiyabei, a third place finisher at the 2017 Berlin Marathon, clocked 1:11:05 to win the race ahead of Margaret Wangari (1:13:29) who is on a comeback mission.

Alicent Ruto was third in 1:14:22.