Student upsets formbook as Nyamira Series conclude

Felix Boera stunned seasoned athletes to win the 10km road race during the last edition of the five-part Nyamira Great Run Series on Sunday.

Boera, 18, a Form Four student at St Peter’s Keberesi won the Nyamira South road race, which was flagged off by Nyamira County Deputy Governor James Gesami at Ting’a on the Kisii-Chemosit road and finished at Nyamira Primary School.

Beora clocked 28:30.00 to win the title, beating experienced Kenya Defence Forces’ Stephen Arita to second.

Arita, who won the Nyamira North 10km, one month ago finished in 28:40.34 while Richard Atuya came home third in 29:00.00.

Fourth-place went to experienced marathoner Sammy Nyokaye in 29:74.00 as Evans Mayaka (29:80.00) and Aburi Morang’a (30:00.45) closed out the top six positions. Italy-based Dickson Simba finished a disappointing eighth.

Boera said: “I have participated in the series but I have never won. After a lot of disappointments, I went back to the drawing board and trained hard for this event. Beating experienced athletes on a very tough course is not easy.” 

Boera said even though he will participate in the Nyamira Great Run 21km on December 13, his main focus is the Nyanza South cross country in January.

“I’m not ripe for half marathon that’s why I want to focus on cross country,” added the student.

In the women’s category, Faith Bett, who trains in the neighbouring Bomet County won the third event of the series, clocking 33:34.00. She emerged the winner of the Masaba North 10km and clinched the Manga cross country title last week.

She beat another experienced runner, Teresa Omosa to second place. Omosa who is based in Italy, finished in 34:06.00 while Nancy Kerage closed the podium places in 35:05.00.

Christine Oigo (35:16.00) was fourth, followed by Gladys Otero (35:40.00) and Lydiah Nyansikera (35:50.00).

“It was a very tough race. The weather was cold. The course was also tough but I’m happy I emerged the winner,” said Bett.

Bett has now turned her focus on the Nyamira Great Run which will start at Chepilat and finish at Ikonge Primary School.

Omosa said: “I arrived late for the race and I didn’t have time to do a warm-up. However, I’m okay with the second-place finish."

Polycarp Oreri won the men’s 4km race in 22:40.50 followed by Timothy Momanyi (22:56.74) and Jephter Tengeya (23:00.30).

In the women’s 4kms race, Valentine Mokaya clinched the title in 25:30.00 ahead of Lydiah Moraa (25:50.30) and Teresa Okoyo in (26:00.00).

Races for kids and the elderly were also held. Ends