Francis Komu wins the Nyeri Half Marathon (© Omulo Okoth)
Nyeri, Kenya Thirtytwoyearold Francis Wachira Komu tactically beat early pace setters to run away to victory in the Nyeri Half-Marathon race on Sunday (26).
Komu, who won the Helsinki Marathon in September, remained behind the leaders until one-and-a-half kilometres to go to beat David Langat on a slippery course that snaked through the tea and coffee plantations within this sleepy Central provincial headquarters.
The race, organised by four-time Boston Marathon Champion and world and Olympics silver medallist Catherine Ndereba and her husband Anthony Maina, attracted some of athletics top names, including world record holder Paul Tergat, Ethiopia's Meseret Defar, Tegla Loroupe, Susan Chepkemei, Charles Kamathi and 1997 world steeplechase champion, Wilson Boit Kipketer.
Komu clocked 1:03:44, beating Langat to second position in 1:03:47 with third placed Jacob Yator clocking 1:04:03. The winners won Kenya shillings 50,000 (about 700 USD), runners-up Kenya shillings 30,000 and third placed Kenya shillings 15,000. (One USD = 71.10 KES).
Anne Cheptanui, who trains in Eric Kimaiyo's Kapsait High Altitude Training Camp, won the women's race in 1:14:41 and was followed by Monica Muthoni (1:15:07)and Winfridah Kwamboka (1:17:23).
So important was the race that the Vice President, Hon Moody Awori, flew into the Central Kenya provincial headquarters to flag it off, accompanied by a cotterie of politicians including Sports Minister, Maina Kamanda, Information Minister, Mutahi Kagwe and local members of parliament.
"I read the bible and I was encouraged by a verse from Psalms 21:31, which says you may prepare horses for the battle but victory comes from God. I thank God for this victory. It was not easy at all as the course was slippery. I am now waiting for my manager to arrange more races for me," said Komu, a senior private in the Kenya Army, who won the Paris-Varseilles 16km road race in 2000, 2001 and 2003.
Langat blamed a stitch for his defeat, saying it slowed him considerably midway the race. "But I still hand on until the last minute. Langat finished fifth in this year's Paris Marathon, ruming 2:08in his debut.
Cheptanui, 24, enjoyed the course despite its relative challenge. "I am used to tackling the hills of Kapsait, so I did not find it hard at all. It was a perfect course undera perfect weather," said the girls from Loroupe's Pokot native land.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for the IAAF
Leading Results -
Half-Marathon Men:
1. Francis Komu 1:03:44
2. David Langat 1:03:47
3. Jacon Yator 1:04:03
4. Joseph Mutisya 1:04:30
5. Julius Mbugua 1:05:08
6. David Ndirangu 1:05:18
7. David Koech 1:05:22
8. Nathan Kosgei 1:05:25
9. Kemei Simotwo 1:05:28
10. Haroun Njoroge 1:05:47
3km Boys:
1. Peter Gichuki 10:13.5
2. Charles Murage 10:37.1
3. Boniface Kirugumi 10:39.8
4. Jackson Mbuthia 10:44.71
5. Patrick Githiaya 10:44.71 ?
Half-Marathon Women:
1. Anne Cheptanui 1:14:41
2. Monica Muthoni 1:15:07
3. Winfridah Kwamboka 1:17:23
4. Monica Wangare 1:17:48
5. Naomi Wangui 1:17:51
6. Sarser Alice 1:18:44
7. Emma Muthoni 1:20:09
8. Peninah Atherkon 1:22:32
9. Irene Wangari 1:22:42
10. Monica Otwori 1:22:52
3km Girls:
1. Alice Muthoni 10:45.76
2. Mary Wamaitha 10:49.8
3. Faith Kabugo 10:51.10
4. Dorcas Njeri 10:55.5
5. Josephine Nyambura 11:36.70
