Chepkurui bags women’s 21km title as Kipkorir settles for silver

After bagging the 10km title at the inaugural Nairobi City Marathon, Gladys Chepkurui was back for the second edition, having moved a nothing higher to the half marathon and bossing it.

The Iten-based athlete clocked 1:09:06 to win the women’s 21km race ahead of 24-year-old Susan Chembai (1:10:08) and Nancy Chepleting (1:10:17). 

"I am happy to have made a comeback in a longer distance and still won it. The weather was jot as bad as last year's and that helped me in the race.

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This is motivation for me to go for the full marathon in the third edition of the event and fight for my third win here," Chepkurui said. 

Meanwhile, Chembai says that finishing in second place came as a surprise as she had not been training well since finishing third at the Kigali International Peace Marathon in Rwanda, held in June. 

"I am really happy. This was just one of those unexpected outcomes in a race but is good motivation going forward. I am yet to get a race from my management but I am sure this performance will open doors for me. 

As I go back to training, I now know that I will need to work on my endurance. Next year I intend to come back better prepared for the half marathon title," Chembai offered. 

In the men's race, Uganda's Maxwell Rotich ruled Kenyans on their own turf clocking 1:00:10 for the win ahead of Vincent Kipkorir (1:01.18) and Kennedy Kimutai (1:01:24). 

Kipkorir says that making his debut in the Nairobi City Marathon and making podium felt good and has motivated him to attempt more half marathons as he has is predominantly a 10km runner.

"Training in Iten has been good as it prepared me for Nairobi where I was making my 21km season opener. I am happy for this win and looking forward to more races as the season progresses," he offered.

Meanwhile, Peter Mwaniki eas victorious in the men's 10km, clocking 28:10 to finish ahead of Hillary Chepkwony (28:15) and Shadrack Kipchirchir (28:26).

The women’s race was won by Brenda Jepkoech in 31:59 ahead of Mirriam Chepkech (32:15) and Mirriam Chebet (32:34). 

Winners of the half marathon were awarded Ksh 150,000 each with the runner-ups collecting Ksh 80,000 while Ksh 50,000 went to the third placed finishers.

In the 10km category, the winners walked home Ksh 100,000 richer with the second-placed and third-placed finishers receiving Ksh 50,000 and Ksh 40,000 respectively.

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