Vincent Loritam (255) leads William Chebon in the final stages of the fourth edition of the Baringo Half Marathon (© David Macharia)
Baringo, Kenya25yearold Vincent Loritam from Tegla Lorupe’s stable in West Pokot district is the new Baringo Half-Marathon champion after emerging the strongest during the fourth edition held today (6 Dec).
Loritam had to wait until the last five kilometres to make a strong attack that enabled him to wither a daring challenge from home boy William Chebon. Loritam, who hopes to make a return to the international scene since being away from 2006, clocked 1:02:06.4 to beat Chebon by 17 seconds.
The race, that was flagged off at Kabarntanjo by one of the Baringo members of Parliament Mr Sammy Mwaita and who was flanked by the founder of the event Paul Tergat, saw a group of 10 athletes who ended up taking the top positions battle for 15 kilometres with Chebon controlling the pace.
Chebon appeared to gain over the rest briefly soon after crossing the 15km mark but Loritam made a strong attack that scattered the group and by 20km it had been reduced to the a battle between the winner and the runner-up.
The women's 15km event was won by international marathoner Agnes Kiprop in 50:55 ahead of Joan Ayabei (52:13) and Diana Chepkemoi (53:26).
An upcoming athlete Ruth Matebo continued with her exploits by finishing sixth in 53:45. She was third in this year’s Tegla Loroupe Peace Race and eighth at last week’s Wareng Tuskys Cross Country held in Eldoret.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Leading Results -
MEN (21.1 km) -
1. Vincent Loritam 62:06.4
2. William Chebon 62:23.2
3. Cosmas Kigen 62:34.5
4. David Kemboi 62:38.7
5. James Taiget 62:45.4
6. Eric Ndiema 63:00.2
7. Vincent Cheruiyot 63:07.2
8. Nixon Kiprono 63:10.8
9. Justus Mukere 63:10.9
10. Daniel Koech 63:23.4
WOMEN (15 km) -
1. Agnes Kiprop 50:55
2. Joan Ayabei 52:13
3. Diana Chepkemoi 53:26
4. Caroline Komen 53:28
5. Loice Kangogo 53:33
6. Ruth Matebo 53:45
7. Irene Cherotich 53:52
8. Rebecca Talam 54:01
9. Peninah Cheruiyot 54:20
10. Gladys Chebet 54:27
