The reigning Abu Dhabi marathon champion Catherine Reline and Kalibus Lomwai were the winners of the 5th edition of Moi Girls’ Kapsowar Conservation and Charity Half marathon held today in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The reigning World Road half marathon bronze medalist successfully retained her title; she won last year’s edition in 1:11:40 compared to this year’s 1:12:46.
With her focus to compete at the Copenhagen half marathon and New York City marathon races, she said that she did not plan to win the race after being off training for a while.
“I am happy to defend my title since I did not expect to win because I was off practice. This was part of my training,” said Reline from West Pokot.
She said that the victory did not come easy at the start due to lack of training.
“I was struggling at the start but at Cheptongei, my body picked and decided to go ahead. This is part of my training because I want to compete at the Copenhagen half marathon then the New York City marathon,” said Reline.
She won the 21km distance in 1:12:46 beating Mercy chebwogen to second at 1:13:13 and Emily Chepokemoi who completed the podium at 1:13:30.
After finishing second last year, Lomwai went to the race with a mission to revenge against James Kipkoech, the last year’s winner.
With Kipkoech missing at the start line, Lomwai took the revenge, not on him but winning the race at 1:02:29 followed by Benson Murkomen who clocked 1:03:59 for second then Gilbert Masai completing podium positions at 1:04:05.
Coming from West Pokot, said that finishing second last year with a smaller margin, nothing could have stopped him from winning this edition.
“Last year I was second and this year I wanted to beat the one who beat me last year. As you know, Kenyan races are so competitive so I really wanted to win, especially revenge against Kipkoech. He beat me by a small margin and I came to get revenge and I managed to,” he said.
He said that weather changes and the hilly course plays a critical role each day for an athlete.
“Last year’s competition was too high compared to today because of time. But weather changes are also affected, especially at the hills,” said Lomwai, who wants to compete in an international race come July.
School Principal Joan Too is optimistic that the race will have a big impact on the community and the school at large.
“For the last five years, we have sponsored about 700 students. Last year, we managed to sponsor 200 but we want to increase this year. We need to conserve and sponsor more,” she said.
With a galaxy of talents in the school, she said she wants to promote all sporting events.
“This race is also aiming to help talented students like volleyballers, footballers, basketball as we prepare for CBE. We want to build talent that has been a success,” she assured.
Lorna Jerono and Franklin Kibet were the winners in the 5km and 8km women and men respectively.
Jerono from Siyoi training camp in West Pokot won the junior women title in 15:39:52 ahead of Diana Jelimo (16:05:11) and Faith Jeptoo at 16:18:11.
Kibet won in 21:24:14 ahead of Wesley Kiplagat’s 21:31:38 and Andrew Kiprop 21:46:33.
Selected results
Half marathon
Men
- Kalibus Lomwai 1:03:29
- Benson Murkomen 1:03:59
- Gilbert Masai 1:04:05
- Stephen Kimutai 1:94:28
- Eron Kipchumba 1:04:30
- Evans Kireng 1:04:33
- Dennis Kiptoo 1:04:37
- Albert Kiplimo 1:04:50
- Alfred Cheruiyot 1:05:03
- Zacharia Kiprop 1:05:07
Women
- Catherine Reline 1:12:46
- Mercy Chebwogen 1:13:13
- Emily Chepkemoi 1:13:30
- Regina Jeptoo 1:14:13
- Flomena Cheyech 1:14:30
- Beatrice Cheserek 1:14:30
- Mercy Chelimo 1:16:16
- Leah Cheruto 1:17:44
- Shamila Kipsiror 1:18:20
- Milicent Jemutai 1:19:17
5km women
- Lorna Jerono 15:39.52
- Diana Jelimo 16:05:11
- Faith Jeptoo 16:18:11
- Vivian Chepkobu 16:18:91
- Irene Jeruto 16:39:33
- Damaris Jebet 16:41:11
- Faith Ruto 16:49:42
- Sylvia Kimutai 16:59:25
- Abigail Jebet 17:00:63
- Pakline Jerotich 17:02:88
8km men
- Franklin Kibet 21:24:74
- Wesley Kiplagat 21:31:38
- Andrew Kiprop 21:46:33
- Kelvin Kibiengei 21:55:20
- Meshack Koech 21:59.70
- Dismas Kiptui 22:01:36
- Isaac Parmesis 22:02:61
- Brian Kipng’etich 22:03:74
- Kelvin Kipruto 22:04.06
- Walter Tarakwa 22:10:70