Team Umojas Murage bags CanKen Road Race honours

Jane Murage of Team Umoja comfortably won gold in the women 5 kilometers category clocking 17 minutes, 16.8 seconds in the inaugural CanKen Road Race on Sunday in Mississauga, Canada.

Toronto Olympic Club Ethiopian duo of Dehininet Jara and Abeha Yeabsira came second and third, crossing the line in18 minutes, 12 seconds and 19 minutes, 24 seconds.

Lucy Njeri and Winnie Chebet both of Team Umoja rounded the top five in that order.

The corresponding men’s race was dominated by Toronto Olympic Club elite runners where Hajin Tola of Ethiopia won gold in an impressive time of 14 minutes, 46 seconds.

Comptariot Abreham Wagaye settled for silver in 14:58 while Kenyan Evans Maiko of Team Umoja (15:01) rounded the podium.

Top three finishers in the men and women races took home C$ 1,500 (Ksh115,476.06), C$ 750 (Ksh57,738.03) and C$ 500 (Ksh 38,492.02) in that order.

The Toronto Olympic Club won the team trophy for fastest average time and Team Umoja drawn from Kenyans living in Canada taking the honours for the largest participation.

The event also had the master’s category athletes with Predrag Mladenovic of Team E&E winning the men’s race in 16:35 and Jeannette Chau taking the honours in the women’s event in 28:46.

The CanKen 5K Road Race which is certified by AIMS/IAAF and accredited by Athletics Canada is organized by CanKen Sports Club in support of KidFit Program at Trillium Health Partners, one of the largest hospital groups in Canada

The annual event is expected to facilitate cordial bilateral relations as well as boost Tourism and Trade between Kenya, Canada.

Since its launch two months ago, it has attracted massive support from various government entities and Non-profit organizations including Kenya High Commission, City of Mississauga, Athletics Canada, Athletics Ontario, Mississauga Board of Trade, The Lions Club, The Rotary Club and a host of other key community partners.

It was preceded by Tourism, Trade and Sports EXPO which was held between September 13 and 16 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The EXPO was officially opened by Kenya High Commissioner to Canada Ambassador John L. Lanyasunya and Canadian political and business leaders among other invited guests.