Reline and Kipchirchir emerge winners of Mozzart Bet Chemususu Half Marathon

The 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships bronze medalist, Catherine Reline and Anthony Kipchirchir are the winners of the ninth edition of the Mozzart Bet Chemususu Half Marathon race held on Saturday in Eldama Ravine.

Reline was in a class of her own as she clocked an impressive 1:12:18 on the hilly course to upgrade the colour of her medal from silver to gold in the event as she finished second in last year's edition behind Daisy Cherotich.

The 21-year-old who finished third in Riga behind Olympic Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir and the 2019 World 5000m silver medalist Margaret Kipkemboi made it clear that she was in for business as soon as the gun went off, running from the front throughout to clinch top honors at the end.

The hilly course proved a challenge and tested the resolve of several athletes but that was not the case for the 2022 Nakuru City Half Marathon champion as she pulled clear of the rest at the Poror's climbing lane, showing them clear pair of heels on her way to victory.

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One couldn't have correctly guessed that she had been on rest since racing on Riga on October 1 as she seamlessly dealt with the course on her way to tape.

"I wasn't prepared well as I had been on rest since returning from Riga. I challenged myself to try the course before resuming training. It feels good to win the race," she remarked shortly after cutting the tape.

The Elgeyo Marakwet born athlete who formally launched her athletics career in 2019 after school wants to build on the win and don the Kenyan singlet in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Her biggest wish next year is to return to the track and win a 10000m ticket to Paris.

"I have one more race to prepare for in the year as I am scheduled to run in Brazil next month. However, my focus is on next year's Olympics where I intend to represent my country," she said.

While the women's race had well known winner, the 19-year old Kipchirchir shocked scores of experienced runners to win the men's race.

Kipchirchir, who trains at the Volare Camp in Iten, stopped the clock in 1:03:35, with Jackson Kipleting coming home second in one hour, four minutes and nine seconds.

Emmanuel Bor who won the Mozzart Bet Re-Discover Nandi Road Race in 2021 finished third after clocking 1:04:36.

Kipchirchir whose last race was the Moi Kapsowar 10k race in May and finished tenth, couldn't hide his joy after winning his first ever half marathon race.

"This was my first half marathon race. I go home a happy man after the win as it means alot for me," he said.

To adequately prepare for the course, Kipchirchir who draws inspiration from Felix Kandie revealed that he trained in similar conditions and surface so as to make to the podium.

"I trained on a hilly course in Iten so as to be among the top three athletes. My aim is to win international races and represent Kenya on the track where I specialize on 5000m," said the athlete who began taking athletics seriously after finishing form four at Usko Secondary School in Uasin Gishu in 2021.

The winners of the race will pocket Ksh. 250,000 from the organizers.