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Brimin Misoi and Agnes Barsosio emerged as the men’s and women’s winners of yesterday’s inaugural Uhuru Classic Nairobi City Marathon. 

For their sweat, they each pocketed Sh6.9 million, being their best pay from a single race. 

Misoi, who won the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon in 2018 and 2019 settled for victory at 2:08.30 and said he will put part of the money into farming. 

 Richard Rop and Daniel Yator settled second in 2:09:17 with Yator coming in third in 2:10:15. They pocketed Sh4.02 million and Sh2.875 million respectively. 

Misoi was one minute and 27 seconds ahead of Rop and two minutes and 25 seconds ahead of Daniel Yator. 

In the women’s category, Barsosio, the 2019 Hangzhou Marathon champion, clocked 2:24:45 for victory, she defeated Shyline Jepkorir at 2:29.04 and the 2011 World marathon bronze medallist Sharon Cherop at 2:29.37. The winning ratio was quite big with Barsosio managing over five minutes between her and the other two podium finishers.

“It feels good to win this lucrative race, I have competed in so many races but this is by far the best, I will go back home and plan well how best to invest it,” said the 39-year-old. 

Uhuru and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta flagged off the Full and Half marathons yesterday morning. 

Expressway

Some 33km of the route was run on the new Nairobi Expressway with the rest being run on some of the iconic streets within the capital City. 

The marathon race started at the Nyayo National Stadium before hitting the Expressway to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport turn off. 

The competitors then exited the Expressway and battled at the major streets in the city centre, an opportunity for spectators to follow proceedings before making their way to Globe Cinema Roundabout on to Kipande Road and Museum Hill roundabout. 

They then returned to the Expressway and all the way to ABC Westlands where they made a turn before returning to finish at the Nyayo Stadium. 

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta participated in the 5km race, and too, was received at the finish line by the President, who was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed and Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei.