Former Barcelona marathon champion Valary Aiyabei Jemeli and UAE Healthy Kidney 10km New York 10km champion Mathew Kimeli won the 9th edition of Safaricom Iten 10km Road race held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County today.
The reigning Beijing marathon champion edged out her competitors to win the race in 32:29.60.
“My training has been successful and I want to extend this to the notch higher. Today’s competition was stiff compared to last year due to the strong field. I had to run in front to reduce burning out luckily I managed to win,” said Jemeli.
The reigning Eldoret City marathon champion became the first athlete to retain her title, the same way she did at the Standard Chartered 10km race.
She relegated Edith Chelimo and Dorcas Jepchirchir timing 32:34.5 and 32:50.70 to second and third positions respectively.
Mathew Kimeli won the men’s title in 28:57.0 beating his close rival Edwin Kiprop with more than a minute who timed 29:17.20 and local cross country runner Emmanuel Bor finishing third in 29:21.20.
Coached by Broth Colm O’Connel, Kimeli said his running career has just began after recovering from a knee injury lat year.
“This was part of mountain run and training. I missed to train yesterday and focused my training today which has bore fruits at the end of the day,” said Kimeli who is training to compete at next month’s Prague 10km road race.
Top six finishers
10km women
- Valary Aiyabei Jemeli- 32:29.60
- Edith Chelimo- 32:34.50
- Dorcas Jepchirchir- 32:50.70
- Joyce Chepkemoi- 33:50.70
- Lucy Cheruiyot- 34:06.90
- Gladys Yator- 34:21.90
10km men
- Mathew Kimeli- 28:57.0
- Edwin Kiprop- 29:17.20
- Emmanuel Bor- 29:21.20
- Evans Keitany- 29:25.30
- Shadrack Koech- 29:29.20
- Joseph Kiptum- 29:30.0
Top six finishers
10km women
- Valary Aiyabei Jemeli- 32:29.60
- Edith Chelimo- 32:34.50
- Dorcas Jepchirchir- 32:50.70
- Joyce Chepkemoi- 33:50.70
- Lucy Cheruiyot- 34:06.90
- Gladys Yator- 34:21.90
10km men
- Mathew Kimeli- 28:57.0
- Edwin Kiprop- 29:17.20
- Emmanuel Bor- 29:21.20
- Evans Keitany- 29:25.30
- Shadrack Koech- 29:29.20
- Joseph Kiptum- 29:30.0