Nyeri Half Marathon winner, Peter Muriuki, bib 292, challenged on his way to victory by Vincent Lotram, who was eventually second (© Ignatius Kemboi/Courtesy)
Peter Muriuki won today's 12th Safaricom Nyeri Half Marathon on a hot morning on the slopes of Mount Kenya, 150km northwest of the capital Nairobi (14).
Muriuki, second last year here posted 1:01:52 after grabbing the lead from the 10km mark onwards to improve on his 2007 time of 1:01.57. His performance was a marked improvement on the second position he finished in last month in the Tuskys Cross Country in Eldoret.
"I am now accustomed to this course but I would have done better were it not for the heat. But I am happy," said Muriuki.
Before dropping the other members of the lead pack behind him, Muriuki had been challenged by Vincent Lotram, who was to run out of gas after failing to grab water with 10km to go. He went on to clock 1:02:19.
"Although the altitude is lower than Iten (nestled at about 2400 metres above sea level near Eldoret) I really hoped to challenge seriously until I missed the water point," said Lotram.
Stephen Thuku followed home in third in 1:03:11.
Winfrida Kwamboka, won the women's race in 1:16:47, with upcoming Antonina Ruto second in 1:17:04 followed by Joyce Kandie (1:17:40).
The meeting was organised by World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba and her husband Anthony Maina.
Peter Njenga for the IAAF
Results
Men 21km
1: Peter Muriuki, 1:01:52
2: Vincent Lotram, 1:02:19
3: Stephen Thuku, 1:03:11
4: Isaac Arusei, 1:03:21
5: Muturi Karanja, 1:03:29
6: Kemei Simotwo, 1:03:31
7: Edwin Koech, 1:04:03
8: Jason Mbote, 1:04:46
Women 21km
1: Winfrida Kwamboka, 1:16:47
2: Antonina Ruto, 1:17:04
3: Joyce Kandie, 1:17:40
4: Hellen Wanjiku, 1:18:16
5: Hellen Waitura, 1:18:31
6: Gladys Maina, 1:18:48
