Celebrations went high in Mororia village today as four time New York marathon winner Mary Keitany was on today won the StarTimes and Sports Journalists Association of Kenya(SJAK) sports personality of the month of November.
Accompanied by her husband Charles Koech and their children, Keitany was surprised by the accolades following her goof 2018 road race performance and the reclaiming the New York City marathon title she lost last year.
Keitany got the accolade after winning her 4thtitle in 2:22.48 on November 4th after finishing 5th in London in April as she was voted the best athlete and walked awaywith a 43 inch television set from StarTimes, kshs 100,000 and a trophy.
It was a double win for the 36 year old who was also named the New York roadrunner pro Performer of the year 2018, following her 4th win at the New Yor kMarathon.
“This is quite a surprise for me, I did not expect to receive an award on Kenyan soil but I am humbled beyond words for being selected for the November award,”said Keitany.
The former world half marathon champion said she has had a successful 2018 and set focus on the 2019season, hoping to emulate what she has achieved this year.
“This is a great surprise in my career being awarded by journalists and happening at my home. From the bottom of my heart, I am very grateful. I never expected such accolades this morning. I came from from morning g run and pumped into such grateful trophy,”said the former world half marathon record holder.
The mother of two won her fourth New York City marathon title on 4th September 2018 to add on her 2016, 2015 and 2014 before finishing second in 2017.
“New York has become home for me and now I have been rewarded again as the New York Road Running title.The votes were enormous and that has elevated me to a greater height,” added the former Ras Al Khaimah half marathon winner.
“It is a double victory in my life. I must say God has been faithful this year. Life has been good and making it this far, I must dedicate it to all fans, Family members and training mates,” added Keitany who clocked 2:22.48.
StarTimes Marketing and PR Director Japhet Akhulia noted that, “Keitany becomes our17th recipient of the monthly StarTimes sports personality award and is a true testament of our progressive effort to recognize outstanding sports men and women. We will continue to support this noble course key in encouraging sporting excellence in the country.”
She beat experienced rally driver Carl Flash Tundo, who registered his sixth win of the season with victory at the Guru Nanak Rally and subsequently won his 4thKenya National Rally Championship and Angela Okutoyi who finished second at the Africa Cup of Nations in Botswana.
Others who were in the race for the November gong were Samuel Njoroge, who won the Lagos tennis Open and Kenya Defence Forces boxers including Black-Moses Mathenge, Nick Okoth, Isaac Meja, Simon Mulinge, and Fredrick Onyango who all won silver medals at the Africa Military Games in Morocco. Keitany walked away with a trophy, a 43-inch StarTimes digital television set and a cash prize ofSh.100, 000.
The Sports Personality of the Month Awards is a partnership between StarTimes and SJAK to reward all deserving sports personalities on a monthly basis in a bid to bolster the general performance of sport in the country as well as whip up the enthusiasm of country’s sportsmen and women.