The strategy Koech used to clinch Chemususu Dam Half Marathon title
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 16.11.24. | 11:40
She beat her closest challenger by close to two minutes on the hilly course and under the harsh weather
Gladys Koech registered for the 2024 Mozzart Bet Chemususu Dam Half Marathon with the sole intention of finishing inside the top five bracket.
It never occurred to the 28-year-old that she could bag her second half-marathon victory barely weeks after her first triumph in the 13.1 mile-long distance.
However, the decision to break from the leading pack after necking water at the first point at the Moringwo area made the difference for Koech.
The Uasin Gishu-based athlete summoned her energies and seamlessly accelerated on the Moringwo hill, which humbled a good number of athletes and would create a significant gap between her and the rest all the way to the finish line.
The mighty 'kick' unleashed at Moringwo, coupled with a well-balanced distribution of energy on the hilly course would guarantee Koech her second half marathon victory as she won the Stanchart race last month.
"I planned to be in the top five before the race. However, my confidence shot up after the first water point when I realised the rest were struggling to ascend the hill," she told Mozzart Sport shortly after the race.
Koech, who alongside the rest had to put up with light showers at some point in the race, cut the tape after 1:17:00 with the Keringet-based Joyline Jerotich finishing second in 1:19:21.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) athlete Caroline Chepkemoi settled for bronze after clocking 1:24:26.
2018 Africa Athletics Championships 1500m gold medalist Winny Chebet, who has represented the country in major championships, finished 20th after timing 2:41:14.
Koech, who was making her first appearance at the Chemususu Half Marathon, revealed that training on a similar course also played a part in winning the race.
"I had worked hard in training as I was aware that the course would be tough. The win will motivate me to do well in the Cross Country in January," added Koech, who trains under coach Geoffrey Mutai.
.jpg)
