Kemboi, Jerop win Kass Marathon

Jackson Kemboi and Cynthia Jerop yesterday took the hilly and windy Kapsabet-Eldoret road by storm to be crowned winners of the 11th edition of Kass Marathon.

Kemboi, who finished fifth in this year’s Chemususu half marathon in September, clocked 2:20.27 to win men’s 42km in the race that begins in Kapsabet town in Nandi County and ends in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

He held off Silas Mwetich (2:21:10), who finished fifth at the Madoka half Marathon in October, and Denis Kitoo (2:21:14) to the second and third places respectively.

Kemboi, with a marathon best of 2:17. 46 he recorded at the 2017 Romania race, broke away from the leading pack that also included Mwetich and Kiptoo, before cruising to the finish line for a convincing victory.

“It was my first time to compete in the Kass Marathon. I feel good to have won the title and also for leading from the start. I will take some time to recover and prepare for next season,” Kemboi said at Eldoret Sports Club after winning his victory.

“I have been training and aiming to win a marathon in the last seven years and today, I thank God because I have made it,” he said.

Meanwhile, three weeks after finishing second in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, Jerop clinched an easy victory in women’s 42km yesterday.

She posted 2:39.16 to beat Beatrice Jepkorir, who crossed the second in 2:45.07 while Peris Jepchirchir finished third in 2:46.15.

Jerop, who trains in Kapsabet, was set for victory from the onset.

“I was still recovering from the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon and I requested my husband and my coach to allow me to compete in this race because it takes place in my home and they accepted,” said Jerop.

The former World cross country junior bronze medallist won the inaugural Kaptagat Forest half Marathon and Chemususu 10km in September before competing in Kenya’s biggest marathon; Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon.

She prepares to run in a 10km race in Asia in January before competing for a slot to represent Kenya in the World cross country Championships in Netherlands in March 2019.

Winners of yesterday's main races each pocketed Sh1.5 million.

In men’s 10km, Gilbert Kimunyan edged Kennedy Kimutai and Amos Birgen to secure victory.

Kimunyan cut the tape in 29:44.1 while Kimutai and Birgen timed 30:01.6 and 30:01.9 respectively.

Joyce Chepkemoi took the crown in women's 10km in 34:50.9, beating Maureen Jepkemoi (34:33.7), who settled for the second place.

Loice Chepkurui finished third in 34:36.6.

2018 Kass Marathon results

42K men

1. Jackson Kemboi          2:20:27

2. Silas Mwetich              2:21:10

3. Denis Kiptoo                2:21:14

42K women

1. Cynthia Jerop              2:39:16

2. Beatrice Jepkorir        2:45:07

3. Peris Jepchirchir         2:46:15