Manela reigns supreme at Saba Time race
By David Macharia, January 17, 2024
Michael Manela clocked 29 minutes and 18 seconds to win the men trace during the fifth edition of the annual Saba Time Race in Nyahururu, Laikipia County at the weekend.
Winning the 10km distance is his first major victory since graduating to senior level two years ago.
Mary Nyaruai won the 5km race for women in 15 minutes and 48 seconds that was a huge improvement from her sixth position last year.
Manela mustered the muddy sections of the murram route to win the race that had several stars including many Japan-based ones who said they were using the race to acclimatize after recently returning home for holiday.
He blamed the rough road, due to protruding stone, for his failure to break the course record that stands at 28 minutes and 36 seconds.
“I was surprised to win but it was my day,” he said.
Francis Abong who finished second in 29:21 said he has to work on his finishing kick saying it cost him the victory.
Wilson Lemangale, 29:2 and Joash Ruto 29:27 finished in that order for third and fourth positions.
Nyaruai pulled away from her closest challenger Yvonne Chepchirchir, who clocked 15:50, with 50 metres to go to win the women race.
Nyaruai and Chepchirchir join last year’s winner Judy Chepng’etich as women runners who have covered the 5km distance under 16 minutes.
Joyce Njeru and Lucy Nduta finished third and fourth respectively in 16:43 and 16:45.
The top 30 finishers in men race and 20 in the women category earned monetary token from the sponsor, Korean businessman, Jang Young Ki.
The route of the race at Siron villages in Marmanet location, Laikipia County has a long athletics history, being the one used by John Ngugi for speed work when he won World Cross Country title five times.