Rebecca Chepchirchir, Deklerk Omari win in Kisumu race

1. Deklerk Omari the Male Winner Clocks the finish Line during the Safaricom Kisumu International Safaricom Marathon on 14-12-2014. PICTURE BY PHILLIP ORWA 2. Rebecca Chepchirchir the Female Winner Clocks the finish Line during the Safaricom Kisumu International Safaricom Marathon on 14-12-2014. PICTURE BY PHILLIP ORWA 3. Male Athletes Compete Durinmg the Safaricom Kisumu International Safaricom Marathon on 14-12-2014. PICTURE BY PHILLIP ORWA 4. Female Athletes Compete Durinmg the Safaricom Kisumu International Safaricom Marathon on 14-12-2014. PICTURE BY PHILLIP ORWA

Deklerk Omari from Kisii and Rebecca Chepchirchir, yesterday won the Kisumu International Safaricom Marathon and went home Sh200,000 richer.

Omari, who has previously won the Madson Madoka Half Marathon in Mombasa, clocked 2:13:04 to triumph against a strong opposition.

"The weather was humid but I had trained well for the race. This is the first time I have won a marathon," he said.

The Ladies Category was won by Rebecca Chepchirchir, who won Sh200,000 after clocking 2:41:00.

"This is the first time I was taking part in a full marathon. I am happy that I have won even though the weather was humid, I will come back to defend my title next year," said Chepchirchir.

Second overall in the men's category was Kibor Samson, who was timed at 2:15:16 and was rewarded with Sh100,000 followed in the third position by Julius Kilimo, who took home Sh50,000 after clocking 2:15:35.

Fourth overall was James Cheboi, who timed 2:17:16 ahead of Polycarp Mugusu (2:17:29) while sixth position went to Soibei Kirutich timed at 2:18:04.

Elphas Kiprop, Joshua Kipkorir, Edwin Kipkiboi and Lawrence Rotich followed in seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth position respectively.

In the women's category, Chepchirchir won ahead of Nancy Chebet (2:43:44), while Valarie Ayabei, who timed 2:44:24, was third ahead of Loice Kangogo (2:44:33).

Fifth position went to Alice Cherotich (2:44:37), while in the sixth position was Rael Kimaiyo in 2:45:29 ahead of Joyce Kirui (2:46:42), Hilda Cheboi (2:52:51), Kirui Jepchumba (2:55:15) and Lydia Chepleting (2:57:07).

In the 12-kilometre men's category Benson Onyango won in 39:16.13 followed by Wilson Karanja who timed 42:38, while third overall was Cyril Kiptoo who timed 42:42.