Little known Daniel Simiyu and Lydia Njeri were crowned the champions of the inaugural Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) 9km charity race ran today at Uhuru Park set to raise funds to pay school fees for the less privileged students.
But reigning All Africa Games 10,000m champion, who was the race favourite flopped, finishing in 5th position.
Simiyu won the unexpected men’s title 25:10.9 ahead of Edwin Kipkemoi who managed second position by timing 25:34.1 before Emmanuel Kipchirchir completed the podium in 25:36.1.
In the 4th position was Ezekiel Kemboi who crossed the finish line in 25:36.9 as Timothy Kilel (25:38.7) and Abel Kiplimo (25:44.0) followed in that order.
With Aprot failing to make it to the podium, it was a turn for Njeri who won the title by stopping the timer in 28:55.7 ahead of Nancy Chelangat clocked 29:07.7 for the second position while Judith Cherono closed the podium in 29:13.5.
Vivian Chepkirui(29:24.9) and Beatrice Mutai(29:52.1) were fourth and sixth respectively.
It was a bad day for Aprot who finished fifth timed at 29:41.6 after she missed a slot to defend her All Africa games title scheduled for Casablanca in Morocco come August. Aport, recovering from knee and groin injury finished 8th at the trials held at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Winners pocketed Sh100,000 each.