Chebet and Kipkemboi claim Nairobi City Marathon crowns
By Joel Sang, July 2, 2023Naomi Chebet and Robert Kipkemboi emerged as the 2023 Nairobi City Marathon women’s and men’s champions, respectively, on Sunday, June 2, 2023.
Jebet established a decisive lead with seven kilometers remaining to eventually win in 2:24:33, as Sharon Chelimo Arusho finished second in 2:25:20, while Judith Jerubet was third after running in 2:27:01.
Chebet’s surprise win
“It’s a surprise victory for me, having chased the first group for almost 10 kilometers. I will take stock first, digest what has happened before thinking about my next race,” Jebet, the 2019 Kass International Marathon champion, said, as quoted by a local publication after the race.
Kipkemboi, 33, separated himself from his closest rivals at the 36th kilometre and won the race in 2:07:38. The 2016 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon managed to beat Charles Mneria, to win the race and consequently pocket Ksh3.5 million. On his second appearance over the distance, Mneria finished second after clocking 2:08:04, which is his personal best.
“I plan to purchase land in Eldoret as well as invest more in my business. It was a good race despite the chilly weather. I have competed in worse weather than this.
“I came to compete because I had missed out on an opportunity last time, and I am happy that I have won today. I might return to Istanbul later this year. After this, I will go back to training,” Kipkemboi said, as quoted by a local publication.
This was Kipkemboi’s first race since he ran the Istanbul Marathon in Turkey in 2022 for 2:10:18.
The winners of the marathon pocketed Ksh3.5 million, which is a lower amount than the winners of the previous edition won.
Meanwhile, Mneria explained why he lost to Kipkembo: “I tried to push so as to catch up with Kipkemboi, but he seemed to have enough power in his systems.
During the Kenya Prison Service Championships on May 26 at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Mneria finished second in the 10,000m.
Rotich triumph
The men’s half marathon race was won by Uganda’s Maxwell Rotich, while the women’s category went to Gladys Chepkurui. Rotich managed to overtake the leading group at the 10 kilometers mark and went on to emerge as the winner after running for one hour and 10 seconds.
Rotich, who trains in Iten, Elgeiyo-Marakwet County, managed to weather the storm from Vincent Kipkorir, who became second after running for 1:01:18. Kennedy Kaptila was third in 1:01:24.
“The course was nice and flat, but the weather was a bit heavy and chilly. I had strong opponents, but it was just my day today,” Kipkorir admitted thereafter.
Chepkirui, the women’s half marathon winner, ran for 1:09:06 and said she took her chances: “I felt strong, and I had to take my chances.”
She emerged champion after beating Susan Chembai, who finished second in 1:10:05, with Nancy Chepleting finishing third after running 1:10:17.
Chepkirui won the women’s 10km race last year and finished second at the Zwolle Half Marathon in 1:10:02 in the Netherlands on June 10.
“Chepkurui had a good reaction, and our chase failed to match her speed,” Chembai admitted.
Alex Mwaniki won the men’s 10km after running for 28 minutes and 10 seconds, while the women’s race went to Brenda Jepkoech, who ran for 31 minutes and 59 seconds.
Results of the Nairobi City Marathon.
Men’s 21km
1) Maxwell Rotich of Uganda- 1:00:10
2) Vincent Kipkorir- 1:01:18
3) Kennedy Kimutai- 1:01:24
Women’s 21km
1) Gladys Chepkurui- 1:09:06
2) Susan Chembai- 1:10:05
3) Nancy Chepleting- 1:10:17
Women’s 10km
1) Miriam Chepkech- 32:15
2) Miriam Chebet- 32:34
3) Christine Nalimo- 32:49
Men’s 10km
1) Peter Aila- 28:10
2) Hillary Chepkwony- 28:15
3) Shadrack Kipchirchir- 28:26