Kids' race at the Loroupe Peace Race (© David Macharia)
Elias Kemboi and Linet Chepkurui were the winners of the fifth edition of the annual Tegla Loroupe Peace Race held today (17) in Kapenguria, West Pokot district.
The annual event organized by the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation is designed to foster peace between pastoral communities in Kenya and neighbouring countries who have been involved in conflict over cattle rustling and grazing land rights. As always the founder of the Peace Race, Tegla Loroupe attended the race in traditional dress.
The event held under clear skies and in hot sunshine had several categories of races – 10km for elite men and women athletes, 10km for warriors and 2km for children and dignitaries.
The flagging off of the races on the Kitale-Kapenguria road was done by US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger and the West Pokot District Commissioner Lyford Kibaara. The route took the runners through the town before ending at Makutano stadium.
The Ambassador said the US government would give US$25,000 to an educational academy that Loroupe is building in the region.
World marathon champion Luke Kibet was among the international athletes present to give support to the event.
MENKemboi clocked 31:25 to emerge victor, his second triumph since the event was started five years ago. His time was by 27 seconds faster than when he first won the race in 2005. Kemboi, the victor in the Rome marathon this spring in a personal best of 2:09:36, took control of the Peace Race after three kilometres and opened a commanding lead up to the end.
Wilson Kiprop, who has finished among the top ten in the first two events of the national cross country series held in Nairobi and Kericho in the last fortnight, was second in 31:57. Third was Richard Kipkoech in 32:11 and fourth was a Qatari Tamil Kamar Ali (formerly Thomas Kosgei) in 32:08.
WOMEN
Chepkurui took advantage of the women’s race starting simultaneously with the men’s event to be paced to a fast time way ahead of her opponents and clocked 37:27. Irene Loitareng was second in 38:15, Emily Biwott and Dorcas Ptarus were third and fourth respectively in 38:52 and 39:25.
Peninah Limakori who was seventh at the Baringo 20km road race a week ago also finished seventh here in 41:02.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
RESULTS
Men
1. Elias Kemboi 31:25
2. Wilson Kiprop 31:57
3. Richard Kipkoech 32:11
4. Tamil Kamar Ali 32:08
5. Wilson Kiplagat 32:11
6. Moses kemboi 32:23
7. Charles Ng’olepus 32:27
8. Gideon Cheruiyot 32:32
Women
1. Linet Chepkurui 37:27
2. Irene Loitareng 38:15
3. Emily BIwott 38:52
4. Dorcas Ptarus 39:25
5. unknown name 40:08
6. Mercy Jelimo 40:48
7. Peninah Limakori 41:02
8. Priscah Chepkor 41:12
