Daisy Cherotich and Emanuel Kemboi are the new champions of Chemususu Half marathon.
Daisy won the women’s 21 kilometres category in a time of 1 hour 11 minutes and 38 seconds, Catherine Reline came in second after 7 seconds with Jackline Chelala closing the podium position 10 seconds behind the winner.
In the Men’s category Emanuel Kemboi led with a time of 1 hour 3 minutes and 46 seconds, Jackson Kipleting came in second three seconds behind while Benard Kipkirui came in third at 1.04.22.
The winner of each category will pocket Sh. 250,000 prize money with the first and second runners up getting Sh. 200,000 and Sh. 150,000 respectively.
The athletes will however wait for doping results before they get rewarded for their wins due to new Athletics Kenya rules that are aimed at reducing the increased cases of doping in the country.
In the Corporate category, National Government Constituency Development Fund Board, emerged winners, while Eldama Ravine Sub-County Hospital, Equity bank, Konza Technopolis and KCB bank came in second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
According to Mathew Birir, Athletics Kenya Representative, Kenya was on the verge of being banned by IAAF due to increased cases of doping. He called on the athletes to avoid doping as it will end their careers.
Birir welcomed the new changes in the AK like the depositing of the prize money with the AK who will then give to winners upon passing a doping test.
Leaders who graced the occasion called on the youth to avoid doping and also requested for more races so as to nurture talent in the country.
Yusuf Mbuno, CEO of NGCDF board called on the utilization of the 2 per cent allocation in the CDF kitty which should go to environment conservation.
This year’s race was sponsored by Mozzart Bet, Equity Bank, KCB Bank, LAPPFUND, NGCDF Board, Konza Technopolis among other corporates.
The money raised from the race will be used to conserve the Chemususu Dam catchment area as well as assist the local community to cope up with the effects of the water body.
The event was graced by heads of the different corporates including Sasa Krneta, CEO Mozzart Bet Kenya, and Yusuf Mbuno of NGCDF Board, area MP Musa Sirma and Members of the County Assembly.
By Christopher Kiprop
