Family Bank Half marathon: JorumLumbasi defends title, Pauline Korikwiang returns with a win

Jorum Lumbasi defended his Eldoret Family Bank title as former world cross country junior silver medalist Pauline Chemining Korikwiang returned with a win in women’s race held today (Sunday 8^th) in Eldoret.

Lumbasi became the first athletes to win back to back in the race that entered its 11^th year consecutively.

He beat his closest rival Isaac Kipkoech to the tape after leading the last lap of 3km with his sprint finish.

Despite running a slower time 63:47 than last year’s 63:16, Lumbasi said hot weather played a critical role in his performance.

“It was too hot forme but I managed to defend my title after competing at last month’s Copenhagen half marathon,” said Lumbasi.

Coming from Kericho County, Kipkoech came second 63:48 to finish second, the position he was last year.

“I did not come here necessarily to win but winning and defending the title is better,” added Lumbasi who last month Safaricom 10km in Iten.

Now he has shifted the focus to next month’s New Delhi half marathon.

But Kipkoech said he wanted to prove the organizers wrong that he can make it too.

“I had to come and compete again to prove that I did not cheat last year. I lost my bib and that cost me a lot after a long struggle, finishing second,” lamented Kipkoech.

Daniel Kipkosgey came in third place timing 63:56 in one of the most competitive race, each beating the competitor in seconds.

Double 2011 All Africa games bronze medalist Pauline Chemining Korikwiang returned into competition after a long spell of hip joint and tendon injury.

The 2006 world cross country junior silver medalist cut the tape in 73:08.7 ahead of her main rival Josephine Jepkoech with more than a minute as she clocked 74:40.8.

“That injury has kept me off but am back, ready to take on any race ahead of me. This is my first race after injury and a win means a lot to me. The race was too slow and I decided to take the battle by myself,” said Korikwiang who was welcomed by her four year old son Declan Yego Krop at the finish line.

Selected results

Men

1. Jorum Lumbasi-63:47
2. Isaac Kipkoech-63:48
3. Daniel Kipkosgei-63:56
4. Micah Cheserek-65:10
5. Edwin Yator-65:14
6. Timothy Rono-65:26
7. Maxwel Rotich-65:31

Women

1. Pauline Chemining Korikwiang-73:08.7
2. Josephine Jepkoech-74:40.8
3. Winnie Chepkorir-74:47.6
4. Peres Kandie-75:29.6
5. Sharon Chelimo-76:34.9
6. Gladys Yator-77:00.4
7. Peris Cherono-77:23.9