Ndiwa, Cherono rule in Embu Red Cross Half Marathon

Robert Ndiwa and Judith Cherono emerged winners of  the Embu Red Cross Half- Marathon fourth edition on Sunday, with the homegrown athletes failing to impress in their backyard.

Ndiwa won the men’s senior race with a time of 1:13:15 hrs while Judith Cherono won the women’s race at 1: 28:19 also awarded a trophy and a certificate were the first and second runners up in the category.

The Iten based Ndiwa showed Jimnah Kariuki from Nyahururu a clean pair of heels from the halfway mark to cruise to the tape in style, after the former had shown signs of challenging his prowess in the distance.

The 2018 Venice half-marathon winner conquered the hilly and scenic tough course in 1:13. 15, while Kariuki settling for the second place in 1:13.17, in an event meant to help raise funds for disabled children of the Jomo Kenyatta Home.

“The race was difficult although I came well prepared for it. I’m happy to have won the title in preparations for the upcoming events,” said Ndiwa.

In the women’s race, Cherono leapt into the lead just at the two kilometer mark and never looked back winning in 1: 26.05, ahead of Alice Kamunya who came home in 1:26.36.

In the 10 km race, Charles Kamau clocked 33:33.09 to win the contest ahead of Pius Karanja who managed 33:55.03 after out-sprinting Peter Kamau to the finish line in 34:12.9.

Helen Ekalale claimed the women’s 10 km title clocking 39:20.1, beating a determined Mary Njau (40: 12.07) and Agnes Mumbua (40:45.6) to second and third places respectively.