Former world cross junior bronze medallist Cynthia Jerop and upstart Jackson Kemboi braved the early morning cold and windy weather conditions to register their maiden 42-km wins at the Kass International Marathon yesterday in Eldoret.
Jerop, who finished second behind her cousin Josephine Jepkoech at Standard Chartered Marathon three weeks ago, defeated a host of experienced runners including World Half Marathon record holder, Peris Jepchirchir, who is returning from maternity leave.
The race, which started at Kapsabet Boys in Nandi County and ended at Eldoret Sports Club, saw clock 2:39.16 to win the race. Beatrice Rutto took second place in 2:45.07 as Jepchirchir posted
2:46.15 to complete the podium.
In an interview, Jerop who is also the Hannover Half Marathon champion, said she had little time top prepare for Kass race since she just ran in the Standard Chartered Marathon three weeks ago. She revealed that he had also defied her husband’s advise to run from behind and kick the 36km mark.
“My husband told me that I should run from behind and step up the pace from the 36km mark. I, however, decided to run my own race and stepped into the lead barely 2km into the race before extending the gap,” said the Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon champion.
The Chemususu 10km winner said she will take a break ahead of another half marathon outing in the new year. After finishing fifth at the Utrecht Half Marathon, Jackson Kemboi registered his maiden career, defeating a host of athletes.
Kemboi, who said he has been training for seven years before today’s win, said the win shows that early preparations makes a difference in career.
“At first time, I did not expect to run but I was encouraged by a friend to take athletics and for the last seven years, I started training hard and the training has paid off well,” he said.
Kemboi, who trains at Global Sports Communication, ran behind the leading pack before breaking away in the last 5km to win the race in 2:20.27. Silas Mwetich placed second in 2:21.10 while Dennis Kiptoo completed the podium in 2:21.14. “This is my first marathon winand it wasn’t easy winning it,” said Kemboi who finished 5th at Chemususu Half Marathon. Kass marathon winners pocket Sh1.5 million while runners up and second runners up received 500,000 Sh250,000 respectively.
Former world youth 3,000m champion Richard Kimunyan and newcomer Joyce Jepkemoi were crowned 10km champions. Training under Barnabas Kitilit, Richard Kimunyan won the men’s 10km race in 29:44.1 and was followed by Kennedy Kimutai (30:01.6) and Amos Kiptoo (30:01.9). With he eyes set on the 2019 World Half Marathon, Joyce Jepkemoi won the women’s 10km distance in 34:50.9, ahead of Maureen Jepkemoi (34:53.7) and Loice Chepkirui (34:36.6).
Selected results
42km women
1. Cynthia Jerop-2:39.16
2. Beatrice Rutto—2:45.07
3. Peris Jepchirchir-2:46.15
4. Dorcas Jepchirchir-2:46.62
5. Sheila Jepkoech -2:47.40
6.Salina Chebet-2:48.03
42km men
1. Jackson Kemboi—2:20.27
2.Silas Mwetich—2:21.10
3.Dennis Kiptoo—2:21.14
4.David Tanui—2:22.05
5. Philip Birech-2:22.36
6. Moses Kigen-2:23.03
10km men
1. Richard Kimunyan-29:44.1
2. Kennedy Kimutai -30:01.6
3. Amos Kiptoo-30:01.9
4. Daniel Kiprotich -30:05.3
5. Philemon Kiplimo-30:10.5
6. Alfred Kipyego—30:10.9
10km women
1. Joyce Jepkemoi-34:50.9
2. Maurine Jepkemoi-34:53.7
3. Loice Jepkirui—34:36.6
4. Caroline Korir-34:37.7
5. Gladys Chepkirui-35:01.1
6. Rebecca Chesang-36:04.9