Nathan Kosgei win the 2004 Nyeri Half Marathon (© P. Njenga)
Thanks to a pace setting task executed by the World Marathon champion Luke Kibet, Nathan Kosgei managed to win his fourth title in the annual Safaricom Nyeri Half Marathon today.
Kibet, using this event for summer race training, opted for the pace setting task up to half way mark which propelled Kosgei, eighth last year, to a new course record of 1 hour 1 minute 56 seconds to eclipse the previous mark of 1:03.44 set by Francis Komu last year.
The Nyeri Half Marathon, organised by World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba, held in this are overlooking Africa's second highest mountain, Mt Kenya, 160 north west of Nairobi, also saw Sally Chemtai better the women's course record of 1:14:41 after clocking 1:13.55.
She led from gun to tape. She was followed by Margaret Syombua in 1:14:25 which was also inside the old record of Ann Cheptanui of 2006.
Kibet had predicted a fast time and after the first 5km ran within town centre, the runners headed to Ruring'u area down hill before embarking on an agony hill which brought them to the half way mark.
Kibet was in the leading pack of Philemon Giteya, Peter Muriuki, David Lagat and Nathan Kosgei.
At this halfway point, Kosgei moved into the lead, dragging along Muriuki, Giteya and Paul Kosgei, a previous participant in the Boston Half marathon. Kibet then dropped out.
Kosgei was able to mount a fast finish to out-duel Muriuki who clocked 1:02.:01 on the home stretch. He was followed by Giteya (1:02:36) and Kosgei (1:02:43).
Kosgei, 29, said he is now ripe to attempt the full distance from next year.
Peter Njenga (Kenya Times) for the IAAF
Results:
Men -
1. Nathan Kosgei, 1:01.56
2. Peter Muriuki, 1:02.01
3. Philemon Giteya, 1:02.36
4. Paul Kosgei, 1:02.43
5. Elijah Muriuki, 1:02.49
6. Josphat Wachira, 1:02.52
7. Kipngetich, Koech, 1:03.14
8. Joel Lakwamu, 1:03.22
9. Simon Njunguna, 1:03:23
10. Francis Komu, 1:03.26
Women -
1. Sally Chemtai, 1:13.55
2. Margaret Syombua, 1:14.25
3. Monica Wangare, 1:14.51
4. Diana Sigei, 1:16.34
5. Rael Kihara, 1:17.05
6. Monica Njeri, 1:17.14
7. Winfrida Kwamboka, 1:17.45
8. Gladys Maina, 1:18.58
9. Ruth Njeri, 1:18.08
10. Antonina Ruto, 1:19.09
