10th MTN Kampala Marathon:
42KM Winners:
Dominic Kimwetich – Kenya – 2:15:06 (Men)
Gladys Kipsoi – Kenya- 2:40:05 (Women)
Kenyans Dominic Kimwetich Kangor (men) and Gladys Kipsoi (women) have won the 10th MTN Kampala Marathon held in the Uganda Capital of Kampala on Sunday.
Kimwetich, 24, also won the event last to become the first back to back winner of the event while the Kapsabet based full-marathon debutante Gladys Kipsoi, 28, enjoyed a dream start to her ultimate distance career by clinching the corresponding women’s race.
Each of the two great atheletes won USh14m, the top prize money for the winner of the marathon that was staked by the race sponsors, MTN Uganda, a telecommunications company.
“I won the 21km race of this event three years ago and it opened up the doors for me since this year and the last have seen me bring pride to my nation.
“The turnout by Ugandans here today (Sunday) shows how I have inspired many to take athletics and the future is bright for this country,” Kiprotich said as the athletes tackled the tough course with a few hills in the event ran under overcast conditions and high humidity following heavy overnight rains in the Ugandan capital.
Having come here last year and demolished the field, Eldoret based Eagle Athletics Club runner, David Kangor, retained his men’s title in a more crushing victory over the field in 2:15:06, chalking off over two minutes from his winning time last year.
His second decisive surge built such an advantage over his rivals that none was anywhere near when two motorcycles crashed on the last bend to the homestretch causing him to stop before jumping over them and sprinting for the tape.
Having just posted his seasonal personal best of 2:11:56 in Melbourne in October (13), Kangor thought it would be wise to come to Uganda to defend his title.
The winner arrived at the tape in 2:40:05, well over four minutes ahead of runner-up Rosina Kiboino (2:44:58) and Sally Jemutai (2:46:58) who sealed the Kenyan podium sweep.
An unlisted Ethiopian runner took fourth with Ugandan Irene Chemusto (2:55:16) further breaking their neighbour’s monotony in a race where Kenyans took six of the top ten positions.
As a spectacle, the event enveloped Kampala in a sea of yellow, the corporate colour of the title sponsors as it marked it decade themed ‘Run for Water’.
“As a company, the association between Kampala Marathon and us is part of our presence in this country and we will be involved as long as we operate in this country,” MTN Uganda CEO, Mazen Mroue said.
In total, over 22,000 participants took part in the full, 21km and 10km events on Sunday, braving the Kampala chill to take to the streets with vengeance with more than 100,000 converging at the route and Kololo Airstrip as the spectacle unfolded.
Ugandan pair Daniel Rotich (1:03:54) and Linet Toroitich (1:16:00) caught the bouquets in the men and women 21km events with the home nation also clinching the double in the 10km runs courtesy of Phillip Kipyeko (29:20) and Nancy Cheptegei (35:26).
Other races in the event sponsored by MTN Uganda, Huawei, Rwenzori Mineral Water and The New Vision Media company included the 10km, 21 km and the wheel chair catergory, all of which Kawowo Sports will keep updating you about.
LEADING RESULTS
MEN 42KM (TOP 10):
1. Dominic Kimwetich KEN 2:15:06
2. Paul Katisa KEN 2:17:02
3. Patrick Cherotwo UGD 2:18:10
4. Haile Berhamu ETH 2:18:18
5. Francis Musana UGD 2:18:20
6. Earnest Kipruto KEN 2:18:36
7. John Birgen KEN 2:18:50
8. Wycliffe Simotwo UGD 2:20:07
9. Martin Nyakua UGD 2:20:40
10. Moses Cherop UGD 2:25:23
WOMEN 42KM (TOP 10)
1. Gladys Kipsoi 2:40:05
2. Rosina Kiboino 2:44:58
3. Sally Jemutai 2:46:58
4. Not listed
5. Irene Chemusto UGD 2:55:16
6. Abigail Toroitich 2:56:41
7. Truphena Kurui 3:00:28
8. Gladys Cheruiyot 3:06:19
9. Agnes Cheptitos UGD 3:15:06
10. Ruth Ahimbisiwe UGD 3:22:45
