Kimitei, Chepngetich win inaugural Tirop's Angels 10km race

Former Africa Championships 10,000m silver medalist Wilfred Kimitei and Lodwina Chepng’etich are the winners of the inaugural End Gender Based violence (GBV) 10km road race held on Sunday 5 December in Iten. 

The race organised by Tirop's Angels, an organisation founded in honour of slain Olympian Agnes Tirop saw the participation of athletes in 10km men and women races as well as a 5km masters race. 

Kimitei, a 2016 First Lady half marathon champion used the advantage of a route he knows all too well to clock 30 minutes 7.1 seconds to bag gold ahead of Patrick Kipkurui who came home in 30 minutes 12.6 seconds. 

Peter Mwaniki braved the heavy wind and cold weather that saw the race delayed earlier in the morning to clock 30 minutes 14.4 seconds for third place, completing the podium finishes. 

Fresh from competing at the Lisbon half marathon where he finished 11th in 1:00.03 when Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo broke the world record, the prison warder say this was a race for a worthy course and there was no way he would have missed out on joining the call to end GBV. 

“The race was good and just like any other races in this town, I always register good results and a win here was good for me to build my profile. Running in Iten is part of my life and it has been a blessing,” said Kimitei.

He continued, “We must stop talking and swing into action when it comes to GBV and this is a good place to start. The scenes we hear and witness are not good. More action is needed."

Meanwhile, Chepng'etich timed 35 minutes 02.6 seconds for top prize, beating Lydia Njeri who bagged silver in 35 minutes 23.5 sexonds while Glorious Jepkurui completes the podium places in 35 minutes 40.3 seconds. 

“I was not well prepared for this race just after Nakuru but winning was good considering the big names lined up here. Also winning at home was good for me. The wind and cold weather in the morning denied me a good time but I am happy for the victory,” said Chepng’etich who finished second at the Nakuru City 10km race last weekend. 

Select results

Women

1.Ludwina Chepng’etich- 35:02.6

2. Lydia Njeri- 35:23.5

3. Glorious Jepkurui- 35:40.3

4. Jesca Chelang’at- 35:53.1

5. Cynthia Jelimo- 36:16.9

6. Mana Chesang- 36:23.1

7. Stella Jepkosgei- 36:35.2

8. Sharon Kemboi- 36:17.1

9. Vivian Jepkemoi- 37:10.4

10. Joan Kipyatich- 37:10.7

Men

1. Wilfred Kimite-30:07.1

2. Patrick Kipkurui- 30:12.6

3. Peter Mwaniki- 30:14.4

4. Daniel mateiko- 30:18.8

5. Kiprono Kipkemei- 30:28.2

6. Kelvin Kibiwott- 30:38.9

7. Paul Korir- 30:44.6

8. Shadrack Chesir- 30:48.9

9. Bernard Kipkurui- 30:54.8

10. Geoffrey Kipsang- 31:01.