Moses Kigen (423) in action during the 13th edition of the Safaricom Baringo Road Race (© David Macharia)
Moses Kigen reaffirmed his great shape when he sprinted to victory in the 13th edition of the Safaricom Baringo 20km Road Race today. This was the 34-year-old Kigen’s third win in races locally in recent weeks, including the half marathon at the Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon.
Kigen won the 20km in Kabrnet in 56:14, the seventh quickest run in the world this year, beating Stephen Kemboi in a dramatic sprint with just five metres to go. Kemboi clocked 56:16.
The race was flagged off near Kabartonjo township by local District Commissioner Abdi Farah, and at the midway point Kigen, who comes from the Keiyo district, appeared under pressure from seven others runners. Yet with 5km to go, he made a break on a downhill section of the scenic route that weaves through the north of Kabarnet town, the home area of former marathon World record holder Paul Tergat.
The move managed to drop the group that included Agnello Rutto but Kemboi was able to catch up again with Kigen, hanging on until five metres to the tape. Rutto clocked 56:41 for third place while fourth went to Yator Miningwo in 56:48 and David Tarus was fifth in 56:49.
Kigen now sets his eyes on defending the annual Tusker Matresses cross country title on 2 December in Eldoret.
In the women’s 15km event, the World Military Games 5000m champion Peninah Arusei made easy work of the opposition as she dropped all except her younger sister Nancy Arusei in the first 2km of the race.
“The hill we encountered in the first two kilometres enabled me to break away early. I am used to hill climbing since I train in hilly areas in Iten,” said the winner who clocked 50:52.
Margaret Karie was eventually second in 51:09, and third place went to Diana Chepkemoi in 51:22.
Karie and Chepkemoi had managed to catch up with Nancy Arusei (4th 52:13), in a flat section of the route with three kilometres to go but Arusei senior was far enough ahead to carry the race with ease. Peninah Arusei will next run in the Seven Hills 15km road race in Holland in two weeks time.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
RESULTS
Men’s 20km
1. Moses Kigen 56:14
2. Stephen Kemboi 56:16
3. Agnello Ruto 56:41
4. Yator Miningwo 56:48
5. David Tarus 56:49
6. Emmanuel Chamer 57:11
7. Jacob Chamer 57:16
8. Wilson Kipsang 57:24
Women’s 15km
1. Peninah Arusei 50:52.
2. Margaret Karie 51:09
3. Diana Chepkemoi 51:22
4. Nancy Arusei 52:13
5. Jane Njeri 52:32
6. Rael Chepyator 52:49
7. Peninah Limakori 53:45
8. Caroline Chepchirchir 53:51
