After winning the Standard Chartered Marathon on Sunday, Alphonce Kigen has revealed how hard he prepared for the title after finishing second in 2021.
Kigen and Evaline Chirchir scooped the 42km titles on Sunday morning at Uhuru Gardens along Lang'ata Road.
Kigen won the men’s 42 km race in 2:10:18 followed by Moses Mwangi (2:10:26) and Lameck Kibiwot (2:11:00).
He expressed his joy for having clinched the title, saying: “I thank Standard Chattered for organising the race as well as all the participants. I wasn’t expecting to win because it was tough and everyone is a winner.”
Kigen, 26, added that he embarked on a rigorous three-month training programme at Kaptagat training camp as he sought to finally step on top of the podium.
“I prepared for three months at Kaptagat training camp. This is not my first Standard Chattered Marathon. I took part in the 2021 race where I finished second,” Kigen added.
Mwangi was over the moon after finishing on his marathon debut, observing that the result shows he is ripe for the bigger races.
"I was making my debut and it has shown me I can make it in the marathon. I am happy to finish the race in second place," said Mwangi.
Marathon debutant Chirchir won the women’s race in a time of 2:24:31 followed by Aurelia Jerotich (2:26:49) and Sheila Chepkech (2:27:16).
Chirchir from Keringet, Nakuru County, said: “I am happy because this was my first time running in the full marathon. I have been running in the half marathon, 10km and 15km. I am planning to transition to marathon running full time.”
She won the 21km race last year.
The 25-year-old, who trains at the Keringet training camp, added she has her sights set on next year's Berlin and London Marathon.
Stanley Njihia won the men’s 10km race in 28:36 as Loise Chemnung clinched the women’s title in 31:54.
The 21km men’s race was scooped by Justus Kiprop in a time of 1:02.39 while Jackline Chelal topped the women’s race in a time of 1:11:18.
For the third year in a row, the races started and finished at Uhuru Gardens with over 22,000 runners taking part in the elite and fun races.
Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei said: “Thank you to all who participated. I hope you have all enjoyed yourselves. Let's meet again next year."
The winners walked home Sh2m richer, second place finishers received Sh750,000 while third bronze winners took home Sh500,000.
