Mwaka and Syombua conquer South Imenti

By Mutwiri Mutuota

Rising junior cross-country sensation, Patrick Mwaka and seasoned road runner, Magdaline Syombua made it a Machakos double by mastering hot conditions and hilly terrain at the third South Imenti 10K Road Race.

For what falls under the category of ‘local race’, the South Imenti race attracted a large field of established runners, including Hong Kong Marathon champion, Cyprian Kiogora, World Championships 1,500m and 800m finalist, Belal Mansoor Ali from Bahrain and Emma Muthoni, who won Stanchart Nairobi Marathon last year.

However, the men’s race belonged to Mwaka, who won the junior 8km race of the third KCB/AK Cross Country meeting in Nairobi and finished third and fourth in Machakos and Embu.

Leading Pack

The victor, who stopped the timer at 29:23, broke away from the crowded leading pack at 4km and raced almost unchallenged to the Nkubu Stadium finish to scoop the Sh40,000 winner’s prize.

"The course was good but the heat was a challenge at the hills. I came here to test the course and my strength and winning here gives me motivation to aim for the Bydgoszcz World Cross team," Muaka said.

Stanley Thuku led the chasing pack home in 29:38, ahead of defending champion, Cosmas Kyeva from Machakos, who claimed the final podium position in 29:43.

"Last year, the field was not as competitive as this year. I tried all my best to defend the title but it was not to be," said Kyeva.

"Having just ran a marathon in Macau (China), I did not push hard but it was important for me to be here to motivate people in this area to take up athletics instead of chewing Miraa ," Kiogora, who is preparing to defend his Hong Kong title in February, observed.

Mansoor Ali, who finished 70th, disclosed it was a good workout as he prepares for next season. In the women’s race, Syombua, on the comeback trail after a season disrupted by toe injuries, upgrading from finishing second at Nyeri Half Marathon to a classy 34:45 victory after toasting the field.

"The heat was too much, but I’m used to these conditions. I’m preparing to re-launch my international running career," Syombua, who also won Sh40, 000, said.

Emily Samoe (35:13) was second and Pauline Wangui (35:17) third. Muthoni (35:25) was fifth. Martin Ndungu (24:20) and home girl Nancy Kabura (20:54) won the junior men (8km) and women (6km) races in the event that also featured a veteran’s event.