Reigning Family Bank half Marathon champion Jorum Lumbasi and Baringo half marathon champion champion sher Edith Chelimo were crowned the champions of Safaricom Iten 10km road race held on Saturday 9th in the running county of Elgeyo Marakwet.
The surprise winner of 2016 Family Bank half marathon held in Eldoret, Lumbasi was at it again claiming the 8th edition of the race on a new route as he sharpens his skills ahead of both Copenhagen half marathon and defend his Family Bank title on October 8th.
Facing stiff competition from defending champion Cosmas Birech, Lumbasi failed to dominate in the opening 7km but the last steep, 2km to the finish line, he capitalized on the slow hilly run outpacing the rest to win the title in 28:18.9.
After outpacing his seniors in the cadre, he managed to beat road race specialist Gilbert Masai to second in 28:20.7 before road race specialist runner Emmanuel Bor completing podium places timing 28:28:6.
Noah Kipkemboi finished fourth in 28:50.0 while Maxwell Rotich (28:58.3), Barnabas Kosgei (29:01.6),Vedict Cheruiyot (29:03.4),Cosmas Birech (39:08.9),Aflred Barkach (29:10.1) and Donald Mitei closed the top ten in 29:18.7.
“I was using the race for preparation ahead of the Copenhagen race.I hope to shine there in terms of time performance and eyeing a podium finish,” Lumbasi said.
But it was a surprise win for Edith Chelimo who blasted into victory leaving race favourite and 2016 barcelona marathon champion Valary Aiyabei Jemeli to second.
Chelimo won the women’s category ahead of experienced Jemeli, who in 2015 won Kass international marathon in Eldoret.
Having 68:57 as best time in half marathon, Chelimo timed 32:06:07 for the crown ahead of Jemeli who came second in 32:51.5 before Dorcas Chepchirchir sealed the podium in 33:15.0 Sheilah Cherotich finished fourth in 33:28.1 with Relvin Relim coming fifth in 33:45.2.
Celestine Jepchirchir came sixth in 33:54.8 followed by Gladys Yator( 34:02.6), Sharon Harushin (34:10.3),Betty Jepleting (34:17.6) and Priscillah Kipruto closed the top ten finisher in 34:22.0.
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