Vincent Kipchumba fine-tuned his London Marathon preparations with a solid win at the Beyond Zero Half Marathon in Nairobi, on Sunday.
Kipchumba, the 2019 Amsterdam marathon champion, won the race at Nyayo Stadium in 1:01.54 with Nicholas Kosimbei, the 2014 World Under-10 10,000m bronze medalist, coming home second in a time of 1:02.28. Albert Kagongo (1:02.30) finished third.
Abednego Cheruiyot clocked 1:02.32 in fourth place while John Langat finished fifth in 1:02.35.
“This is a great result for me. It will boost my preparations ahead of London Marathon due for next month,” said Kipchumba.
In Women’s 21km event, Lydia Njeri put aside Paris Marathon cancellation disappointment to win the race. Paris Marathon which was due for April 5 was postponed due to over spread of Coronavirus.
Njeri, the younger sister to marathoner Martin Mathathi won the closely contested race in 1:12.03 with Londiani-based Emily Chebet coming in 1:12.30 with Pacifica Jeptoo closing the podium in 1:12.44.
“I have been preparing for Paris Marathon which was to be held next month, unfortunately, the organizers cancelled the event due to Coronavirus. It was disappointing but it also motivated me to perform well here today. Will go back and see what next for me after this race,” said Njeri.
In men’s 10km, saw another close contest with five runners running inside 29 minutes with Vincent Yegon winning the race in 28minutes and 23 seconds.
Bernard Kipkemoi (28:38) held on to get the second place form fast-finishing Jackson Kavesa (28:40).
Fast-rising Daniel Simiu was fourth in 28:54 ahead of Evans Yego (28:59).
After finishing second at the 2019 edition, Evelyn Chirchir finally emerged women’s 10km race.
Chirchir clocked 31minutes and 56 seconds with Caroline Gitonga of Run2gether finishing second in 32:13 ahead of Janet Ruguru (33:10).
The race was flagged off by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta was aiming to raise Sh250 million towards zero maternal deaths, zero child death, a healthy lifestyle for the elderly, zero new HIV infections and zero child marriages.
“Beyond Zero’s work is about advocacy and awareness creation around critical health issues, to date, the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris that we have held in Kisumu, West Pokot, Narok, Nyandarua and Nairobi, have served wananchi in these regions and extended services to communities in the neighboring counties,” said Kenyatta.
The event was also attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta who participated in the 2km walk/run alongside Sports CS Amina Mohammed, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, Machokos Governor Alfred Mutua among other dignitaries.
Winners for the 21km will pocket Sh.250, 000 while 10km road race took home Sh.100,000. The price of money trickles down to number ten.
