Elites and upstart athletes are set to battle for titles at the 4th edition of the Moi Girls’ Kapsowar Charity and Conservation race set for tomorrow at the Moi Girls’ Kapsowar High school grounds.
With the race upgraded from the initial 10km race to half marathon, the athletes will be yearning for the top crown to pocket thousands.
According to organizers, the 10km used to start at Cheptongei market, cutting through Kipkunur forest and concluding at the Kapsowar Girls ground, has changed, with the half marathon starting at Chebiemit Centre, Chebara, Marakwet Boys, Cheptongei through Kipkunur Forest past Kapsowar market, ending at the school compound.
Athletics Kenya Secretary Boniface Tiren said that they have upgraded the race to accommodate many athletes who are preparing for various local and international assignments.
“This county has so many athletes who are capable of running in both the 10km and half marathons. We decided to upgrade to a half marathon to accommodate many of them who could not manage the 10km, which is a faster race,” said Tiren.
He said that Kenyans have been competing in many road races across the world and the Kapsowar event will be part of their preparation for the races, especially half marathons.
“We want to motivate many road runners like the half marathoners who will soon graduate to marathons and other events,” he said.
Apart from the 21km for the elites, there will be the normal 8km men and women, 5km for students, boys and girls and the 2km corporate and the elderly.
“The half marathon winners will pocket kshs 200,000, second finishers will earn Ksh 150,000 and third finishers with Kshs 100,000 running all the way to the 20th finisher in each category,” he said.
In the 8km, the winners will take home kshs 50,000, second with Kshs 40,000 and 3rd on Kshs 30,000 running to the 20th person to cross the line.
He added that the proceeds of the race has been used to pay schools for the needy in the school and other needs for the students.
“The school has supported over 500 students through this program from vulnerable families and that is a noble idea that many should adopt,” he said.
Last year, Hillary Kipkoech and road-race specialist Naomi Jebet were the winners of the 10km race. Kipkoech won the men’s title in 28:32.3 ahead of James Koech to second in 28:36.9 and Mathew Kimeli came third after clocking 28:415.
In women, Jebet edged out defending champion Purity Komen Chemutai and Catherine Reline for the title.
Jebet sprinted in the last 500m to carry the title in 31:55 ahead of Catherine Reline in 32:09 and Komen completed the podium at 32:33.
Pamela Kosgei and Simon Muluwa were the 5km junior winners. Kosgei clocked 16:29.22 ahead of Dorcas Jeptoo (17:18.80) and Faith Kimutai completed the podium in 17:49.40.
Muluwa won the boys’ title in 14:0593, followed by Laban Kiptoo (14:12.75) and Walter Koros in 14:34.32.
In 2022, Bravin Kiprop and Purity Komen were the winners of the 10km race. Kiprop clocked 28:39 ahead of Samuel Naibei and Gilbert Kibet while Komen won in 32:35.84, beating Naomi Jebet to second in 33:12.41 and Zenah Jeptoo completing the podium timing 33:14.17.
At the inaugural stage in 2021, Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Feliciana Kanda Jepkosgei were the winners of the 10km race