Vincent Cheruiyot wins 2008 Tegla Loroupe Peace Race (© David Macharia)
Vincent Cheruiyot and Jackline Chemwok are the new Tegla Loroupe Peace Race champions after winning the men’s and women’s divisions of this year’s race today (15).
Cheruiyot and Jackline Chemwok proved to be in a class of their own, leading from gun to tape during the sixth edition of this 10km event held in the sleepy town of Makutano in northern Kenya, home area of former marathon running queen Tegla Loroupe.
Cheruiyot, who is 25-years-old, trains in Kapcherop, Marakwet district, an area known for producing good steeplechasers like multiple global champions Moses Kiptanui and Ezekiel Kemboi.
“The clear skies provided good weather just like in the area I train in Kapcherop,” said Cheruiyot who among others saw off former two-time winner David Plimo’s bid for a third title. Plimo only managed sixth position in the race which also attracted athletes from neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. As well as the elite races, there were also several fun runs staged for children, old men and women, and warriors.
The event was flagged-off by one of Kenya’s deputy prime ministers Mr Musalia Mudavadi, and was also honoured by the presence of the US Ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, who was among a large group of diplomats and politicians attending the race.
The audience at this year's edition of the sporting event, which Tegla Loroupe originally devised to bring together cross border communities who were violently divided over disputes centred on cattle rustling, applauded loudly when one of the principal rustlers in the region used the occasion to surrender an illegal gun that he had been using to terrorise the people in Trans Nzoia district.
The Resident District Commissioner for the Moroto district in Uganda, Mr Naham Ojwe, said that, considering the success of the event in bringing peace and understanding to the various pastoral communities, Loroupe was an ideal candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
And Ojwe appealed to the communities involved in the rustling conflicts to fully embrace peace to help ensure Loroupe gained the nomination for the Nobel Prize.
Athletics Kenya chairman and IAAF Council Member Isaiah Kiplagat said athletics, unlike other sports such as football that cause acrimony among funs, can be used to foster peace. He urged the Kenyan government to use the sport in its bid to reconcile the country that was badly affected by tribal skirmishes and political violence after last year’s disputed presidential polls.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
RESULTS
Men
1.Vincent Cheruiyot 30:27.4
2. Francis Koskei 30:33.8
3. Solomon Yatich 30:43.1
4. James Maiyo 30:54.7
5. Wilson Kiprob 30:59.6
6. David Plimo 31:02.9
7. Samson Sibarimuk 31:06.4
8. David Koech 31:06.8
9. Stephen Chepkopol 31:08.6
10. Bernard Kiplagat 31:30.6
Women
1.Jackline Chemwok 35:42.6
2.Rose Chesongol 36:44.5
3.Ruth Matebo 37:11.8
4.Josephine Loshikat 38:14.8
5.Evelyne Kiprotich 38:25.5
6.Chemtai Rionotukei 38:26.1
7.Naomi Chepkosgei 38:33.1
8.Veronica Chepkorir 38:44.3
9.Priscillah Lorchima 38:19.1
10.Betty Ngurasia 39:39.2
