Former Boston Marathon champion Sharon Cherop and George Onyancha led Kenyan athletes to dominate the Kigali International Peace Marathon in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday.
It was an all-Kenyan affair in the men’s race when Onyancha led Kenyans in sweeping the top 11 positions.
Onyancha won the men’s title in 2:17:41, beating Silas Kiprotich who clocked 2:18:11 with David Kipkorir completing the podium in 2:18:43.
They were followed by John Mwangangi (2:18:49), Langat Kipkurui (2:19:29), Thomas Choge (2:19:46), Justus Kipkorir (2:19:12), James Cherutich (2:20:54), Felix Kipkorir (2:20:56) and Ken Kipleting (2:21:04) in that order.
Cherop, who two months ago won the Milano Marathon, finished second in 2:36:06 behind Ethiopian Tsege Muhalabt who timed 2:35:17 for the title as Ethiopian Jemal Feyza sealed the podium in 2:47:13.
It was a similar score in the half marathon when Winfridah Moseti won the women’s race, leading the podium sweep for Kenyans.
Moseti won in 1:12:40 with Lilian Jepkemboi (1:13:36) and Susan Aramisi (1:14:33) finishing second and third respectively.
However, it was disappointing for Kenyans men who, the top finisher, was in second position behind the champion from Uganda.
Uganda’s Kennedy Kipyeko won in 63:52 beating Kenyan John Mburu who clocked 1:03:54 while his compatriot Evans Kipkorir who clocked 1:04:12.