Hellen Chepkorir (3009) during yesterday's StanChart Nairobi Marathon/HANDOUTBernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir were the standout performers at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday, each producing commanding victories in their respective races.
Chepkwony registered an impressive time of 2:11:01 on return from a three-year hiatus to pocket Sh2 million. Alex Saekwo came second in 2:11:26, while Ezekiel Omullo rounded off the podium positions in 2:11:40.
Chepkwony controlled the race from the start, seizing the lead within the opening five kilometres as he paced himself ahead of Solomon Yego, Donald Kimaru and Dennis Kipkemboi.
At the 10-kilometre mark, the group was joined by Saekwo, Omullo and Wilfred Kiplagat, who gradually broke away from the rest of the field.
Kimaru attempted to increase the tempo at the 15-kilometre point, but Chepkwony, Saekwo and Kiplagat reined him in. By the halfway mark, Chepkwony was neck and neck with Silas Keitany, Kimaru and Kiplagat.
At the 25-kilometre mark, Chepkwony, Keitany, Kimaru, Omullo, Bethwell Chemweno and Kiplagat broke away to form a leading group of six as the rest of the pack began to struggle in the sweltering early morning heat.
The six ran side by side for the next 10 kilometres before Chepkwony found another gear, opening up a sizeable gap and maintaining it all the way to the finish line.
A delighted Chepkwony said intense training and hard work had paid off.
“It was a tough race at the beginning. I tried to inject pace at some point but the field was equally strong, and I kept my pace, which was good until the end,” he said.
In the women’s marathon, debutant Chepkorir showed her class by winning in 2:27:17. Chepkorir took control from the halfway mark and never looked back, finishing ahead of Naomi Chepkorir in 2:27:37, while Scholastica Jepkemboi completed the top three in 2:29:18.
Chepkorir said she hoped to defend her title next year. “My plans are to come and defend next year as well as compete in other marathons,” she said.
In the men’s half marathon, Joshua Kithuku clinched victory in 1:02:35, followed by Nahashon Kipsang in 1:03:31 and Gilbert Korir in 1:03:34. The women’s category was won by Fridah Rerimoi in 1:14:23, with Winny Chebet second in 1:15:21 and Caren Jerop third in 1:16:31.
In the men’s 10-kilometre event, Shadrack Musyoka finished first in 29:01, with Festus Kiprop second in 29:38 and Leonard Korir third in 29:41. In the women’s race, Nelvin Jepkemboi took victory in 33:04, ahead of Faith Rotich in 35:23 and Brunella Kutol in 35:25.
In the 21-kilometre wheelchair category, John Wambua carried the day in 1:29:25, followed by Dennis Ndungi in 1:32:35 and Nicholas Mungai in 1:32:36. In the women’s event, Mary Jared won in 1:49:47, with Mercyline Ajenjo second in 1:55:33 and Caroline Wanjira third in 2:08:02.
Results
42km
Men
Bernard Chepkwony 2:11:01
Alex Saekwo 2:11:26
Ezekiel Omullo 2:11:40
Women
Hellen Chepkorir 2:27:17
Naomy Chepkorir 2:27:37
Scholastica Jepkemboi 2:29:18
21km
Men
Joshua Kithuku – 1:02:35
Nahashon Kipsang – 1:03:31
Gilbert Korir – 1:03:34
Women
Fridah Rerimoi – 1:14:23
Winny Chebet – 1:15:21
Caren Jerop – 1:16:31
10km race
Men
Shadrack Musyoka – 29:01
Festus Kiprop – 29:38
Leonard Korir – 29:41
Women
Nelvin Jepkemboi – 33:04
Faith Rotich – 35:23
Brunella Kutol – 35:25
Wheelchair Race (21km)
Men
John Wambua – 1:29:25
Dennis Ndungi – 1:32:35
Nicholas Mungai – 1:32:36
Women
Mary Jared – 1:49:47
Mercyline Ajenjo – 1:55:33
Caroline Wanjira – 2:08:02
