Jelagat, Bor romp to victory in Re-discover Nandi Road Race

Experienced long-distance athletes Nancy Jelagat and Emmanuel Bor have conquered a hilly course to be crowned champions of the twelfth edition of the Re-discover Nandi road race held on Sunday in Kapsabet. 

Jelagat, who won the 2019 Family Bank Half Marathon clocked 31.30 to storm to victory ahead of the second-placed Daisy Jerotich who timed 31.38, and Naumi Chepng'eno who finished third on 32.31.

The win proved timely for a seasoned Jelagat as it went a long way in consoling her from narrowly missing a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. 

Jelagat watched her dream to fly the Kenyan flag in Japan crash after finishing fourth in the 10,000m Olympics trials but she can now afford a smile after cutting the tape ahead of the rest to be crowned the champion. 

Second-placed Jerotich unleashed a supreme kick at the Kamopo Hill to break from the chasing pack but the Jelagat held on, displaying in her wake a clean pair of heels as she coasted to the tape which was stationed at Namgoi Mixed Day Secondary School. 

"I was aware the course would be hilly and hence, I prepared in an equally tough course in Iten. It was tough but I had I was equal to the task thanks to the good preparations. After I failed to qualify for the Olympics, I decided to try my luck here, and thankfully, I prevailed, "she said. 

While Jelagat broke a sweat to shake off the stiff competition from Jerotich, Bor had a field day in the men's category comfortably finishing meters ahead of Daniel Kiprotich. 

Bor who went on his knees for prayers seconds after the win clocked 28.21 while Kiprotich clocked 28.30 with Victor Rotich finishing a distant third on 28.42.

Bor who is fresh from claiming bronze in the recently concluded Eldoret City Marathon said the windfall from Mozzart Bet will help him clear his mounting debts. 

The lanky runner painfully regretted that he had sunk into debts after last year's races were canceled due to the global health threat posed by the Coronavirus. 

"Honestly I have pulled debts as most of the road races which have been keeping me going were shelved due to Coronavirus. Part of the prize money will help me settle the debts. I did not struggle in the race as I am training here daily and understand the terrain well, " he said. 

The race, sponsored by leading betting firm Mozzart Bet, saw four hundred athletes jostle for the honors and prize money dished by the firm.