Fresh from winning the Stanbic Nakuru City Half Marathon, Vincent Ngetich is not resting on his laurels as he looks to compete at the Bahrain Night Half Marathon on December 12.
Ngetich, who trains in Keringet, obliterated a strong field to win the race in 59:00 minutes ahead of Geoffrey Kipchumba (59:44) and debutant Patrick Mosin (59:48), who placed second and third respectively.
“I will be going for the Bahrain Half Marathon before ending my season,” Ngetich said.
He revealed that he was aware competition was going to be tough and so he took his time to prepare for the race. He said the favourable weather also played a role in his victory.
“I was aware of the tough competition and so I prepared well enough,” he said.
Ngetich will also be hoping to get a chance to represent the country at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia next year.
“If I get a chance to represent the country In Australia, I will gladly embrace it,” he said, adding that at the moment, he wants to work mainly on his speed.
In the women’s category, Catherine Reline defended her title in 1:06:48. Jackline Chelal and Janet Chepkoech settled for second and third places in 1:07:46 and 1:08:26 respectively.
Reline expressed her excitement for winning the race and said she did not expect it.
“It’s very hard to win two times in a row but I am thankful to God I have won,” Reline said, adding that compared to last year, this year’s weather was favourable.
She added that women’s world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei motivated her to win the race. “At around the 10km mark, I saw her clapping for me and that gave me the morale to keep going,” she said.
In the 10km category, Dennis Kipng’etich won the men’s race in 27:59 ahead of Weldon Langát (28:00) and Bernard Biwot (28:03) respectively.
In the women’s category, Vaola Chepngéno won in 31:41 as Miriam Chebet and Dorcas Kimeli settled for second and third places in 31:44 and 32:29 respectively.
