Hundreds of local and international athletes thronged Nyahururu town for a 10km road race which was sponsored by Co-operative bank of Kenya.
Monica Wangari and Abel Maina shrugged off the windy cold morning of the high altitude town which is 200km west of Nairobi to scoop sweet victories during the inaugural race which will be coming annually.
Wangari who trains with ESMI club broke off from the pack of more than fifty women in the first two kilometres and maintained the pace up to the end to win the race.
She clocked 36:11.4 while her opponent who is her training mate Naomi Wangui was second and posted 36.30.4.
In the men's category, hot favourite and this year's Ndakaini Half Marathon runner-up Abel Maina from Elite club, shrugged off tough opposition from John Guandaru who had taken an early lead after six kilometres.
Abel, who is a seasoned local athlete in long distant running zealously kept up with him and outpaced him in the last kilometre to win.
He posted 30:17.4 while Guandaru managed 30.18.9 to finish second. Daniel Kaitai and Mfae's Bernard Kiragu were 4th and 5th respectively.
The roadrace which is the first in the town this year attracted many new athletes from the neighboring Laikipia and Samburu who for the first time battled it out with other seasoned runners.
Many Japan-based athletes including James Getanda, Laban Kagika, and Julius Maina did not make an impact in the race which was dominated by freshers.
International runner James Kibucha was relegated to sixth position while Japanes Marugame half marathoner Phallis Irungu ranked position thirty.
Former 4km world champion, John Kibowen and Biwa Marathoner Joseph Riri were on the roadside sheering the upcoming runners.
Julius Muriuki of Kimbia Management who is also an Elite runner and Geoffry Ngugi were ranked fifth and eighth respectively.
Many of the athletes who participated in the race do their training sessions at the Nyahururu stadium but clubs like Mfae do it in their Kagondo home, 20km away from Nyahururu.
Joseph Kanyi (The Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Leading Results:
MEN -
1.ABEL MAINA 30.17.4
2.JOHN GUANDARU 30.18.9
3.DANIEL KAITAI 30.28.5
4.BERNARD KIRAGU 30.32.8
5.JULLIUS MURIUKI 30.42.4
6.JAMES KIBUCHA 30.49.2
7.STEPHEN KARUNO 30.56.9
8.GEOFFRY NGUGI 30.59.8
9.ANTHONY KAHUTHU 30.59.9
10.JULLIUS MAINA 31.01.5
WOMEN -
1. MONICA WANGARI 36.11.4
2. NAOMI WANGUI 36.30.4
3. JANE KANG'ARA 36.34.9
4. MARGARET WANGARI 36.42.3
5. PASCAL CHEPKORIR 37.20.1
6. JACKLINE TORORO 37.23.1
7. MARY NG'ENDO 37.25.5
8. LOISE KANGOGO 38.19.6
9. CECILIA WARUTUMO 38.58.6
10.LADIA WANJAU 39.55.5
