Samson Barmao celebrates his win at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon (© Omulo Okoth)
Nairobi, Kenyaknown Samson Barmao and Kenyan national team veteran Caroline Cheptanui raced to top honours at the third Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon.
From relative obscurity to 2:12:15 victory for Barmao
Barmao, 23, bided his time in the second lead group, which included early leader Noah Kiplagat, 2001 Chicago Marathon winner, Benedict Kimundiu and Enock Mitei, before making his move in the 35th kilometre en route to a 2:12:15 win.
The victory saw him pocket Sh1.5 million ($20,000), but he missed the course record bonus, falling short of the 2:11:50 mark set by last year's winner, Benjamin Kipchumba. Nursing an injury, Kipchumba did not defend his title. Kimondiu was second in 2:12:38, followed by Chelimo Kemboi, who clocked 2:13:40.
Kiplagat took the lead in the seventh kilometre, and maintained the lead with a 50-metre gap until kilomotre 35 where first Barmao, followed by Kimondiu and Kemboi made up the margin.
Prior to his Nairobi win, Barmao had only figured prominently in two half-marathon races in his hitherto obscure athletics career. His first marathon was in Holland, where he was placed 13th while the second was in Eldoret, where he finished fifth. Both races were in 2005.
Barmao, who hails from Elgeyo Border in the North Rift Valley, trains with former 3,000m Steeplechase World record holder, Bernard Baramasai, and is coached by 1992 Barcelona Olympic steeplechase silver medallist Patrick Sang.
"I will invest the money in land and rental buildings," Barmao said. "I also intend to build my parents a good house. They have lived in a thatched house for too long and it was only recently that I put up a 12-iron sheet house for them. I want to give them something better."
Kimondiu is best remembered for his Chicago Marathon victory in 2001, where, after completing his pacing duties, he held on to take the surprise win.
Behind Kemboi, E. Wanjohi (2:14:02), Benjamin Itok (2:14:21) and Jeremiah Cheromei (2:15:06) rounded out the top-six.
Course record for Cheptanui
In the women's race, Cheptanui set a new course record of 2:36:08 to handily eclipse the standard set last year - 2:39:09 - by Chimokil Chilapong. Chilapong, last year's surprise winner in her debut over the distance, was tripped at the start this year and struggled throughout to eventually finish 11th in 2:51:15.
A past runner-up in both the Prague (2004, 2:32:52) and Venice (2003, 2:30.22) marathons, Cheptanui had a 2:34:08 to her credit this year from the Olympus Marathon in Hamburg, and more recently finished 14th at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Edmonton, Canada. In 2003, she was ninth in the long race at the World Cross Country Championships.
With a bonus for her course record, Cheptanui took home Sh1.75 million ($23,000). Cheptanui trains in Kericho with, Alice Chelagat, winner of the inaugural Standard Chartered race in 2003.
Finishing second was Irene Cherutich (2:37.52) with Pamela Chepchumba third (2:41:12). Wandahi Nyambura (2:45:47), Monica Kibet (2:47:49) and veteran Dellilah Asiago (2:48:01) filled out the first six finishers.
Quality Half-Marathon as well
Charles Kiama clocked 1:01:34 to win the men's half-marathon, well clear of Philemon Kipsang (1:02:05) and Samson Kiprop (1:02:15). Linet Chepkurui took home with the women's title with a 1:13:55 performance, just ahead of Sharon Cherop (1:13:57. Fridah Chepkite (1:15.05) was third.
The men's 10 km race saw William Chebon win in 30:18.1, ahead of Moses Masai (30:38.6) and Johnstone Chepkwony (30:44.8). The 1997 World 10,000m champion, Sally Barsosio (35:53.3) was beaten into third place in the women's race with Penina Wanjiru the winner in 35:34.8, nearly 10 seconds ahead of runner-up Monica Wangare (35:44.4).
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
