The reigning world cross country bronze medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo produced a spectacular performance, scooping double victories at the Western Region BingwaFest in Mumias yesterday.
The world half marathon silver medalist won both men’s 10,000m and 5,000m titles. In the 10,000m, he crossed the finish line in 28:57.1 ahead of former Africa Games 5,000m champion Robert Kiprop (29:15.1) and Victor Kipruto (29:16.0).
He later won the 5,000m title in 13:54.5 followed by Amason Kireu (14:09.0) and Dennis Kipkoech (14:10.2) finishing second and third, respectively.
Ebenyo took home KES 550,000 for triumphing in the two races, KES 300,000 for winning the 10,000m, and KES 250,000 for winning the 5,000m.
Ebenyo said, “This was my first time on the track this year, and it was a nice outing. It is also my first time competing at BingwaFest, and I am happy that athletes are now getting more competitions from such events.”
In the women’s 10,000m race, Miriam Kibet narrowly beat Caroline Kariba to first, clocking 33:39.2, with Kariba timing 33:39.5, and Mercy Kipchumba (33:40.1) finishing third.
Janet Jepkoech had a strong showing as well, claiming double gold in the women’s 5,000m and 1500m races to take home a total sum of KES 400,000. She started the day with a win over the 1500m, clocking 4:19.2 to beat Naomi Cherono (4:22.9) and Caroline Kariba (4:24.6).
The 19-year-old Jepkoech went on to win the 5,000m race in style, clocking 16:26.7 to seal her double for the day. Tabitha Njeri (16:29.6) finished second as Mercy Chepkemoi (16:30.4) came home third.
On her part, Jepkoech said: “My target today was to finish in the top three, but my body was responding well, and I pushed for the win. I am very happy to have won two races in my first attempt at BingwaFest.”
The men’s 1500m saw Ricky Kipchumba take the win with a time of 3:48.3 as Julius Bayang (3:48.4) and Brian Kiptoo (3:49.9) finished second and third.
Emily Jerop (2:09.2) won the women’s 800m race as Sylvia Chesebe (2:09.5) came home second, followed by Daisy Ruto (2:10.6). The men’s race was won by Noah Kibet (1:49.4) with Nicodemus Kirui (1:50.5) finishing second as Kiptoo clocked 1:52.0 for his second bronze for the day.
Chesebe went on to win the women’s 400m race with a time of 56.6, leading Bravian Nelima (57.3) and Grace Kidake (57.5) to the podium. Joshua Wanyonyi won the men’s race as Dennis Masika (48.2) and Kennedy Kimeu (48.5) finished second and third.
Richard Ogutu stormed to victory in the men’s 100m dash, stopping the clock after 10.5 seconds, narrowly edging Elkana Sabila as James King’ori finished third. In the women’s race, Brenda Masitsa (12.0) took gold, Lavender Amutavi (12.4) silver, and Kenya Premier League referee Susan Nyambura (12.6) bronze.
In the 4X100m relays, Blaze (47.1) finished first ahead of Utawala (48.2) and Kiptere (49.0) in the women’s race as Utawala A (40.0) won the men’s race, followed by KDF (40.4) and Utawala B (40.7).
Eldoret (3:06.7) team won the men’s 4x400m race, followed by Ultimate (3:13.1) and Southers (3:14.0). Blaze (3:39.4) went on to win the women’s race, followed by Kiptere (3:45.0) and Mombasa (4:15.9).