Chemnung humbles Ethiopian athletes as Kenyans dominate Gabon road race

Kenyan runner Loice Chemnung extended her fine run of form, on the road, after emerging victorious at the 2026 POG Perenco 10K road race held in Port-Gentil, Gabon on Sunday, 28 June.

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Chemnung, 29, delivered a superb performance to take victory in 30:52, on a day when Kenya took double wins at the event.

Running just days after winning her second National 10,000m title at the Athletics Kenya (AK) Commonwealth Games trials last weekend, Chemnung bagged her second road win of the year, all while fending off Ethiopian opposition.

The Kenyan, who also finished second at this year’s Boston Marathon, managed to see out the Ethiopian duo of Abraha Axumawit and Gebre Aynalem, who clocked 31:25 and 31:27, respectively.

Chemnung’s participation in the race goes in line with her planned preparations for the Chicago Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, 11 October.

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Shortly after emerging winner on the track last weekend, the former African Games bronze medallist announced that she was skipping the Commonwealth Games for the full marathon.

At the time, she told Mozzart Sport: “I am very happy to have defended my title. My main focus now is the marathon, and preparing for it is very different from a 10,000m race. The marathon requires more time and specialized training, so I will be returning to continue my preparations for the Chicago Marathon.”

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Meanwhile in the men’s race, Kenya’s Owen Korir Kapkama emerged winner, leading his nation to a podium sweep.

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Korir, who finished third at the Generali Prague Half Marathon in late March, took victory in a time of 27:49, and was closely followed by the Kenyan duo of Brian Kibor and Felix Kibet Masai, who claimed silver and bronze in 27:56 and 28:27, respectively.