Levy Matebo (right) and Wilson Kipsang battle it out during the Tegla Loroupe Peace Race in Makutano township (© David Macharia)
After failing to make an impact locally last year, Levy Matebo showed renewed resolve by winning the elite men’s 10km race at the fourth edition of the Tegla Loroupe Peace race today.
The athlete who was a member of the Kenyan team at the last year’s Eastern Africa Youth Championships in Arusha Tanzania, clocked an unofficial time of 32:45.
A seasoned runner Wilson Kipsang of the Police was second in 32:46 after falling back when Matebo upped the pace just 100 metres from the finishing at Kapenguria stadium.
The two athletes along with Thomas Loriongosiwa had battled for the better part of the race, half of which was a hard hill climb.
The annual event held at Makutano township in West Pokot district is the brainchild of former marathon and road running ace Tegla Loroupe.
The event was given added spiced by the presence of star names like the National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman Kipchoge Keino, multiple global championship steeplechase silver medallist Patrick Sang, and 1998 World Half Marathon champion Paul Koech.
Former national junior cross country star Fridah Domongole won the elite women’s 10k race in 35:30. A newcomer Pamela Lembus was second in 37:15 and third place went to another junior level star Sharon Cherop in 37:58.
There were other races for the populations of communities who had formerly been involved in hostilities across the Kenya and Ugandan border, the quelling of such violent raids being the main purpose behind the creation of this Peace event by Loroupe.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
NB. no official times were available at time of writing
