Mateiko and Chirchir win Eldama Ravine marathon

Daniel Mateiko and Everlyn Chirchir beat a strong field of 400 runners to win the seventh edition of Eldama Ravine Half Marathon in Eldama Ravine town, Baringo County yesterday.

Mateiko clocked 1hour 2min 26secs to win the men’s 21km as Chirchir managed 1hour 9min 49.23secs to romp home in the women’s category.

“This is the beginning of better things to come as I aim to take part in two more races before the end of the year before I plan for next season,” Mateiko told Standard Sports in a post-race interview.

The two scooped a prize money of Sh150,000 each as the window for a number of sporting disciplines rolls down gradually following a nod from the Ministry of Sports.

Chirchir said the victory was a motivation to her quest to take part in the long races, locally and around the globe.

“Winning today has given me the required impetus to look beyond our borders for international assignments although I’ll use the local races to gauge and shape up my fitness,” Chirchir told this reporter in a post-race interview.

Ronald Kirui, who timed 1hour 2min 39secs, was second in the men's race ahead of Emmanuel Bor in 1 hour 2min 46secs, Michael Rotich (1hour 2min 56secs) and Ezra Kipketer in 1hour 3min 05secs.