Iten became live on Sunday evening when double world half marathon champion Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor won his first New York City marathon title s Mary Keitany who was going her back to back titles fell to Shalane Flagnan.
Majority of the athletes taking part were from Elgeyo Marakwet County led by Wilson Kipsang, Ednah Kiplagat, Mary Keitany, Lucas Rotich and Geoffrey Kamworor and Betsy Saina.
Kamworor from Global Sports Communication beat 2014 champion Wilson Kipsang, who was the favourite on the starting lineup.
The two time world cross country champion cut the tape in an unofficial time of 2:10.53 ahead of Kipsang the former world marathon record holder (2:03.23) in 2:10.56 while Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa third in 2:11:32.
The 24 year old ran his seventh marathon after coming second in 2015 to Kenyan Stanley Biwott.
But Kipsang at 35 won in Tokyo earlier this year and raced in September’s Berlin Marathon but quit after 30km.
But Flanagan went in history books with a win as the first American woman to win the race after 40 years.
She cut the tape in an unofficial time of 2:26.53 followed by Mary Keitany, who was chasing her fourth consecutive New York victory was 2:27.54 with Ethiopia’s Mamitu Daska third in 2:28:08.
At 36, Flanagan became the first US woman to win on the streets of the Big Apple since Miki Gorman in 1977.
Back in Iten at Kellu Resort, fans were treated to a rare occasion, watching the race on big screens, cheering Kenyans as they to the world.
The event was organised by Bank of Africa where athletes were taken through investment opportunities by members of the financial institution.
There was cheer as Kamworor and Kipsang broke off from the men’s pack coming first and second respectively.
It was a disappointing race for the fans in Iten after the two champions Kipsang and Keitany finished in the second positions.
Speaking after the viewerthon event, Bank of Africa Head of Marketing Jimmy Wanjohi said the financial institution will continue supporting and empowering athletes terming them a pride of the country.
“We are here to empower and grow the athletes because they are a pride of this country. We will always give them our support especially investments,” said Wanjohi.
Bank of Africa has been sponsoring the events by organizing the athletes and their relatives come together in major marathons.
Men results
- Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN)-2:10.53
- Wilson Kipsang (KEN)-2:10.56
- Lesisa Desisa (ETH) -2:11.32
Women resilts
- Shalane Flagnan (USA)-2:26.53
- Mary Keitany (KEN)-2:27.54
- Mamitu Daska (ETH) -28.08