Newly crowned Hollywood 10km champion Victor Kipkorir and upstart Viola Kosgei are the winners of the 5th edition Chebara Dam Conversation 8km road race held today in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
In less than a month after winning the Hollywood 10km road race in South Africa on October 13th, Kipkorir won the men’s race after leading Brian Limo, Laban Kiptoo and Lewis Kipkemboi.
Competing on a hilly course, in a race sponsored by Eldoret Water and Sanitation (ELDOWAS) Company that supplies water to Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County, the winners walked home with kshs 50,000.
Kipkorir, who was challenged by Kiptoo, Limo and Kipkemboi manged to break form the group with kilometer to cut the tape at 24:06 with Limo in second with 24:24 and Kiptoo completing the podium in 24:25.
The man who trains in Iten under Erick Kogo, said that his running skills were perfect, aiming for victory that he did not expect.
“The course was not that bad but somehow hard due to hills. But training in Iten game gave me an upper hand, coming home with a title,” he said.
With World championships coming next year in Tokyo, Japan, he said that he will try his best to cut into the team.
Kosgei, who finished 7th at the Bomet Athletics Kenya said that the sloppy course made it hard for her as she looked for better position and risked to get forward that paid off.
“This course was difficult to run but I have hope that I will do well because I want to get time, relax before embarking on another journey,” she said.
She added that she wants to cut into the World Championships team.
“I want to try into the team for World Championships, competing in the 5,000m in Tokyo,” she added.
ELDOWAS General Manger for Commercial Services Fredrick Kosgei said that they normally use the Chebara race to engage locals on the importance of conserving water and natural resources not just in Elgeyo Marakwet but across the country.
“We are here every year to have this race to inform the locals of Chebara that supplies water to Eldoret telling them the importance of taking care of our environment to get enough water for Eldoret and other areas and get clean water,” said Kosgei.
On climate change, Kosgei said that it is the monster and if everybody is not included in the journey, they may lose the call.
“We should make it a serious call to conserve the environment to be enjoyed by all. Through this event, we have achieved our target and every area is green and we expect water at the dam to go high,” he added.
Selected Results
Women 8km
- Viola Kosgei 28:14
- Sylvia Yego 28:23
- Caren Jeruto 28:26
- Naomi Chelang’at 28:49
- Jematia Kadogo 29:18
- Ronis Chelangat 29:21
- Rael Cherop 29:48
- Gladys Kemboi 29:54
- Maurine Chemosop 30:27
- Phylis Chepkosgei 30:58
Men 8km
- Vincent Kipkorir 24:26
- Brian Limo 24:24
- Laban Kiptoo 24:25
- Newis Kipkemboi 24:29
- Michael Muotuko 24:34
- Victor Okoth 24:43
- Kevin Tarus 24:49
- Bonifacr Kiptarus 24:55
- Kevin Kipkogei 24:59a
- Alfred Cheruiyot 25:06