Nathan Kosgei win the 2004 Nyeri Half Marathon (© P. Njenga)
Nathan Kosgei, 24, a latecomer to the sport who has never competed in any serious race at home or abroad, won the eighth Dedan Kimathi Nyeri Half Marathon (Sun 28 Nov) in a new course record of 1:05:03 to eclipse the previous standard of 1:05:55 set by Julius Kimtai last year.
The race which was held at the high altitude venue of Nyeri, 160km north-west of the Kenyan capital, attracted close to a 1000 athletes and was organised by women’s World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba who hails from the area.
Kosgei broke away with 7km to go having pushed the pace and finished almost 43 seconds head of second placed Joseph Ng'ang'a. "This is very encouraging as it is the first time I have run in a national event and produced such a result," said Kosgei who won US$620. "The conditions were perfect and suited me fine."
With 20 metres to go Ng'ang'a of Kenya Police out-sprinted Simon Njunguna, to post 1:05:44 for second place. Njunguna finished just two second back in third (1:05:46). It was the first time he had competed in his home town for three years, having moved to the USA.
In the senior women's category, Rose Chepchumba won comfortably in 1:17:35.
Anastasia Ndereba, 30, a sister to Catherine, and a notable marathon runner in her own right – personal best of 2:29:03, 1st 2002 Venice Marathon – who came fifth in Los Angeles and first in Beirut Marathon earlier this year, finished a distant seventh (no time given). However, she was still very satisfied by her race outing as she had not trained in the high altitude of her home district for a considerable period of time.
World Marathon record holder Paul Tergat, who was in attendance at the half marathon as a guest, said the race was one of many new private ventures being implemented to supplement the Kenyan Federations already extensive efforts in search for new running talent.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Men:
1. Nathan Kosgei (Turbo) 1:05:03
2. Joseph Ng'ang'a (Police) 1:05:44
3. Simon Njuguna, (Nyeri) 1:05:46
Women:
1. Rose Chepchumba (Fila) 1:17:35
2. Jemima Jalagat (Nandi) 1:21:22
3. Pauline Waruguru (Thika) 1:21:31
