Twin City Marathon Champion Shadrack Korir won the 15 kilometers Ndukuma Dam Run on Sunday and was followed closely by Atanas Kioko and Benson Mushow in second and third positions respectively.
Korir who is a resident of Elgeyo Marakwet won the race in 45 minutes and 28 seconds, Kioko clocked 45 minutes and 39 seconds and Mushow 45 minutes and 46 seconds in the hotly contest race that is aimed at nurturing talent and raising awareness on conservation of the environment.
“The race was not easy, especially for the men. I train at Iten Camp which is very high altitude. I had tension before I started, however I gave myself morale to soldier on. When reaching 9 kilometers I saw I would win the race and accelerated at the hills,” said Koror while addressing the media.
“At 12 kilometers I was alone and the cheering of people propelled my morale and I accelerated to the finish line,” he posed.
Korir revealed that he was preparing to run the Euston Marathon in Minnesota in America in January saying Ndukuma Run was a place to test his body whether he is able to participate next year.
The last time he was in America, Korir won the Twin City 42 Km Marathon in Minnesota and says he wants to participate in big events in the upcoming London Marathon next year.
In the 15 kilometers race for women, Fridah Ndinda clocked 49:47 seconds and was followed by Nypha Kiteto 51 minutes and 11.1 seconds and Winfred Mbithe 51 and 25.4 seconds in second and third positions respectively.
Ndinda who came second in Nairobi City Marathon is a resident of Machakos and she called for the support of students in schools in an effort to promote talent early and ensure the young people are well guided.
“Support for students is lacking. I encourage people to support talented students in schools. This will have great benefits to the students. If well nurtured, they can earn a livelihood to uplift their families,” said Ndinda while addressing the media.
While saying she has been inspired by athletes like Alex Mutiso and Mutie Yavi, Ndinda said that next she will participate in the 10 kilometers race in South Africa.
During the event, the 10 kilometers women was won by Jacinta Kavindu (41:49.8, followed closely by Diana Wanza 42:06.7 and Pauline Mbithe 43:13.5 while for men Nelson Mapi won by clocking 35:21.2, Daniel Kioko 35:30 and Michael Mwaluko 35:51 in position two and three respectively.
Speaking at the event Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr said that his government will organize a marathon at Ndukuma dam next January to raise more awareness about environment conservation in the area.
The event was organized by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services and Ndukuma Conservancy Community Based Organization and other partners.
In attendance included Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Makueni Deputy County Commissioner Rashid Kwanya, and Executive Committee Members for Gender Sabastian Kyoni and his counterparts, Tegla Loroupe among others.
By Patrick Nyakundi
