Africa junior 3000m silver medalist Mercy Kosgei overcame sustained pressure from a host of other runners to win the inaugural Fluospar 10k race (Sunday 11) in Eldoret, Kenya.
The student at Singore Girls high school used her speed advantage to beat the Luxemburg Half Marathon winner Joan Ayabei to second place during the event held at the scenic Kerio Valley. Kosgei clocked 43:10. while Ayabei’s time was 43:18. Rebby Cherono, 5th at this year’s Berlin 25k, finished third in 45:01.
The men’s race was won by Thomas Pkimoi Liriong’osiwa in 36:09. Fresh from Italy where he won the Bettinnengo 10k road race last month, he took the lead in the last two laps and never looked back.
Second place went to little known Paul Lang’at who was timed at 36:24 and Isaac Kiprop of Uganda was third in 36:36.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Women
1. Mercy Kosgei 43:10
2. Joan Ayabei 43:18
3. Rebby Cherono 45:01
Men
1. Thoman Pkimoi Liriong’osiwa 36:09
2. Paul Lang’at 36:24
3. Isaac Kiprop 36:36
