Ndiwa, Mitei win Discovery Kenya race

Ndiwa, Mitei win Discovery Kenya race

Stacy Ndiwa and Donald Mitei are the winners of the second edition of Discovery Kenya 10km road race held on Sunday in Nyahuhuru, Laikipia County, in honour of Olympic marathon champion, the late Samuel Wanjiru.

Ndiwa crossed the finish line first in a time of 32 minutes and 28 seconds, ahead of Ruth Chepngetich who finished second after clocking 33.09, while Chepkemoi came in third in a time of 33.27.

Ndiwa, who recently won the Kenya Police Cross Country, is now targeting the upcoming National Cross Country trials cum Africa Cross Country Championships trials to be held on February 10 at Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens.

“The race was good for me; I was using it in preparation for the national trials which comes in less than a week. I hope to make the team to Algeria, “Ndiwa said.

With less than a week remaining to the trials, Ndiwa now heads to the final touches though she notes it will be hard facing champions from across the country in the Saturday showdown.

“I know that the challenge awaiting me is enormous but I will do my best and see if I can make the cut,” added the 25- year old police woman who trains at Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

In the corresponding men event, it was a close encounter with Mitei from Baringo County clocking 29.02.8, followed closely by Robert Kemboi who finished first runners-up in a time of 29.03.8, while Sammy Nyokale came in third crossing the finish line in 29.04.2.

The late Samuel Kamau Wanjiru after winning the marathon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. PHOTO/File
(FILE)The late Samuel Kamau Wanjiru after winning the marathon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. PHOTO/File.The Sunday race in Nyahururu was held in his honour.
The first rising Mitei is not new in Laikipia County having won Laikipia University Half Marathon last year and says his target is to now compete in international races.
“I am happy that I won today’s  race because the course was a bit challenging and my aim  is to now compete outside the country, ” said Mitei.

The athlete who hails from Baringo County managed to take the lead from the 5km mark and never looked back although he was under pressure from Ndakaini Half Marathon runners-up Robert Kipkemboi who eventually settled for the second spot.

This year’s event registered an increase in participants compared to the inaugural event held last year.

The competition held under the sponsorship of multinational kit manufacturer Nike, under the management of Dr Rosa Association from Italy, is aimed at honouring former Olympic marathon champion, Samuel Wanjiru, who hailed from Nyahururu.

Wanjiru who won gold in the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing, China, passed away in 2011 under controversial circumstances with the prob on his death not yet concluded.

Among the guests who graced the event were Athletics Kenya president Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei alongside Wanjiru’s mother Hannah Wanjiru.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital on the sidelines of the event, Hannah was similarly elated by the organisers king gesture of commemorating her late son.

” I am happy for the Rosa Association for organising this race in honour of my son,  his greatest desire was to see the growth of upcoming athletes in this region which is now a dream come true,” Hannah said.

The organisers of the event said that plans are afoot to launch a Samuel Wanjiru Foundation which will take care of Wanjiru’s children.

Summarised results.

Men 10km

1 Donald Mitei – 29.02.8

2 Robert Kipkemboi- 29.03.8

3 Sammy Nyokale -29.04.2

4 Edwin Mokua -29.06Cosmas Lagat -29.14

6.John Langat- 29. 17

 

Women 10km

1 Stacy Ndiwa -32.28

2 Ruth Chepngetich -33.09

3Beatrice Chepkemoi -33.27

4 Evalyne Chirchir- 33.35

5 Purity Nganga- 33.59

6 Ruth Karanja -34.11

 

Tags:

Laikipia County. winners Nyahururu Stacy Ndiwa Donald Mitei ofDiscovery Kenya 10km road race

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