Kalya Half marathon was reduced to family affair when Cosmas Birech ran with his wife Diana Kipyokei.
Birech, who comes from a running family that includes the reigning Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jairus Birech, won the 21km while his wife Kipyokei finished second in women’s race ran on Saturday in West Pokot County.
The hilly course that cuts across two counties of Trans Nzoia and West Pokot, was good tiding for Birech family who took home kshs 175,000 with the winner pocketing kshs 100,000 and runner up pocketing kshs 75,000.
The women’s race, which ended earlier, Kipyokei after finishing second, stood at the finish line, to amazement of many, she hugged Birech after cutting the tape.
The race, which started four years ago has attracted many world leading athletes with no single athlete winning the title twice.
Birech beat 2014 winner Hosea Macharinyang and 2015 champion Moses Yator who took positions three and eleven respectively.
Kalya Chief Executive Officer Titus Kendagor said it was fun for such a couple to compete in such race.
“That family is blessed. They have run the best race and we want to invite more people to come and compete next year,” said Kendagor.