Kevin Kibet claimed the top position in the inaugural Iten Trail Run 25-kilometer race for men, clocking in at an impressive time of 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 19 seconds. Meanwhile, Gladys Kemboi secured victory in the women’s category, completing the challenging course in 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 40 seconds.
The event, held in the town of Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, showcased the endurance and skill of some of Kenya’s finest long-distance runner.
Following closely behind Kibet was Kipsang Cheboi, crossing the finish line at 1:47:27, trailed by Sammy Rotich with a time of 1:47:41.
On the women’s side, Caroline Cheptanui clinched second place with a time of 2:13:54, followed closely by Joan Kigen at 2:14:04, securing third place.
Reflecting on their performances, some of the athletes expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete and utilize the event as preparation for future races.The top male and female finishers were rewarded handsomely, each receiving a prize of Sh100,000 while the second and third-placed runners received Sh60,000 and Sh50,000 respectively.
Founder of the race, Blaise Dubois, announced plans to make the Iten Trail Run an annual event in the county, highlighting the region’s rich tradition of producing world-class distance runners.
Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek, congratulated the winners and encouraged all athletes to embrace clean sportsmanship, emphasizing the importance of avoiding performance-enhancing drugs to nurture their talents.
This sentiment was echoed by the Sports County Executive Committee member Purity Koima emphasizing the importance of fair play and integrity in sports.
She added that the Iten Trail Run not only celebrates the spirit of competition but also serves as a platform for promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering a culture of excellence in athletics within the region. With its successful debut, the event is poised to become a staple in Kenya’s vibrant running calendar for years to come.
By Rennish Okong’o
