Eldoret, Kenya - Another little known runner  won the 14th Eldoret Discovery Half Marathon held in cool weather conditions following a heavy overnight downpour in what was an exclusively men's only race, which was run on Sunday (30 Jan).

Wilson Kebenei beat a strong field of 360 athletes to romp home first and stop the clock 62:33 outside the Town Hall but he still failed to beat the course record of 61 minutes held by Philip Tarus and Boston Marathon ace Robert Cheruiyot who cheered him on from the lead truck.

The 23-year-old traded the lead with second placed  former steeplechaser Philip Manyim through the streets of Eldoret, 312km west of the capital, Nairobi, from the 10km mark before he shrugged off his challenger in the closing stages. Manyim posted  62:48 followed by Philip Biwott in 63:05

This race has in its history produced a succession of international stars like Cheruiyot and former Chicago Marathon champion Ben Kimondiu. 

To prove the unpredictability of the race, defending champion Richard Maiyo dropped could come no better than 14th.

Nyamira XC victory

Elsewhere, Onesmus Nyerere won the Nyamira Open Cross 4km race in 18:05 during a race held under a demanding course in Nyamira, Western Kenya. His team mate Boaz Mayaka, from the Kebirigo Club posted 18:31. Both had taken time off to return home held where 70 athletes named in the Athletics Kenya team are currently in a training camping in Eldoret preparing for the Kenyan nationals on 12 February. 

Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF

Results –

1. Wilson Kebenei 62:33
2. Philip Manyim 62:48
3. Philip Biwott 63:05
4. William Todoo 63:33
5.  Samson Barmao 63:58
6. Benjamin Kipserem 64:02
7. Geoffrey Teren 64:04
8. Ben Kimwole 64:22