SPEED MASTERS: Kiplagat , Mitei win innaugural CPF Nairobi Diamond 10km race

Florence Kiplagat wins the women's race during the first edition of the County Pension Fund Nairobi Diamond 10km run in Nairobi yesterday. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

World Half Marathon and 20km record holder Florence Kiplagat and Discovery Half Marathon champion Amos Kiplimo Mitei emerged the winners of the inaugural County Pension Fund (CPF) Nairobi Diamond 10km race run last evening in Nairobi.

Florence breezed to the tape in 31.42 to win the women’s category. Mitei emerged the men’s winner after clocking 27.42 in the race that attracted over 1,000 runners.

Kiplagat, fresh from wining silver in 10,000m at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, was unmatched in the afternoon race that snaked from Uhuru Park through to the Nairobi’s Central Business District.

“I was able to maintain the lead throughout because of the conducive weather. Also the course was flat and the other good thing is that there were no barriers in the race,” Kiplagat told FeverPitch.

Kiplagat said she was using the race she easily won to gauge level of her body fitness and speed work as she has embarked on training for the Chicago Marathon due on October 12,2014.

Mitei, 23, fresh from winning Kecoso Marathon a fortnight ago, said adequate preparation at his Kapng’etuny camp in Uasin Gishu County made him earn his  victory.

He said: It was a tough race. We kept on alternating positions with the runner up (Edwin Kiptoo) and even our timings could tell how competitive it was. my best finishing kick made me win.”

The Standard Chartered and Sotokoto 10km winner said he will embark on a search for international races, being free currently.

“I am planning to take part at international races but I am yet to decide on any. Last year, I was able to represent Kenya in Lisbon and Prague half marathons,” said Mitei.

Each winner got Sh250,000 with runners up taking home Sh200,000 and each. Third place finishers pocketed Sh150,000 during the race which featured veteran athletes.

Former and current world beaters who took part or supported the race included world marathon record holder Tegla Loroupe, 2008 Olympics 800m champion Wilfred Bungei, 5000m and 10,000m ace Eliud Kipchoge, the 25km world record holder Geoffrey Kamworor and 1992 Olympics 800m champ William Tanui.

Others were national 400m hurdles record holder Rose Tata Muya, 1988 5000m Olympic champion and five times marathon world cross country winner John Ngugi, the 1983 1500m and 3000m Africa champion Justina Chipchirchir, Isaac Kibet and Pius Kangongo.

Others were world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, world 3,000m steeplechase champion Milka Chemos, former Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Paul Koech and marathon’s fastest record holder (unrecognised time) Geoffrey Mutai.

The race sponsors included Golazo Sports CPF Financial Services, Safebox, Media, Hilton Hotel, Expert Promotion Council, Brand Kenya and Pepsi, Export Promotion Council and Highlands Mineral Water.