Chris Musumba
28 October 2007
Nairobi — Rose Chesire Jepkosgei and John Njoroge Thuita are the winners of this year's Standard Chartered Nairobi international marathon.
John Njoroge crosses the finish line to win the Standard Chartered international marathon today.
The two athletes beat a strong field of 15,000 people who included athletes from 33 nations and in just over two hours have joined the exclusive millionaire club each taking home Sh1.5 million.
The Nairobi International marathon lived up to its expectation:First no one has successfully defended a victory on this course run at an altitude of over 1,600m above sea level and secondly little known athletes have continued to steal the limelight.
Since 2004 when Chimokil Chilapong raced to the finish line to clinch the title having sold a goat and chicken to raise fare to Nairobi, the same was repeated today as Jepkosgei ,making her debut in marathon entrusted her children to their father Barnabas Kiptenai Kiprop, a peasant farmer, and focused on repeating history as she braved stiff competition from Chinese Li Lu Lu to clock an impressive time of 2:44:14.
"My husband had to go out and borrow money for me to come to Nairobi. He is jobless and getting Sh1,200 to use as fare is not easy for him. He struggled to let me come and compete in Nairobi.
"This was a tough battle for me, I had no idea I was going to win until the 38km mark when I realised that my pursuant Li Lu Lu was dropping off. I decided to accelerate and at 40km, I had opened a huge gap with her. I had more energy but opted to take it slow as there was no serious challenge to my quest now," she said.
Jepkosgei born in Kondapilet village but now married in Seretiot near Nandi Town started training in 2005, before she shifted camp to Iten last year on the invitation of a friend, Christopher Chemwalo.
Li Lu LU who had led from the 5km mark, ran out of breath in the final 5km as she was approaching Nyayo stadium and watched helplessly as her chance to spoil Kenya's party disappeared.
Li Lu Lu clocked 2:47:37 ahead of Magdaline Syombua 2:51:27. Agnes Cheruto was fourth posting a time of 2:53:38 while Jackline Chemunto was fifth clocking 2:54:45.
In the men side, Thuita fulfilled a longtime desire as he raced to claim his first title.
Having finished 16 in last year's Mombasa marathon, Thuita was psyched up to do well in the Nairobi race and he has set his target on winning a major race abroad.
Thuita clocked 2:15:50 failing to beat the 2:10:17 time set by Kiprop Ruto. Wilson Cheruiyot Kipkoris 2:16:10 and Paul Kipkoech 2:17:42 were second and third respectively.
The fourth place went to Seurey Julius Kiprotich 2:18:17 while Raymond Kandie was fifth at 2:20:02.
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