Sande Bashaija
13 October 2008
Isaac Kiprop overcame the disappointment of missing out on yesterday's World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to win the Uhuru road race held Saturday in Kololo, Kampala.
Kiprop had expected to travel to Brazil together with James Kibet and Martin Toroitich but the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) couldn't raise about $9,000 (Shs14.8m) required for the trip.
"After being told the trip had been cancelled, I came straight here to compete. And it's good I have won," Kiprop said after completing the 11.6km race in 36 minutes, 18.1 seconds.
The national half marathon champion, escaped from the leading pack halfway into the race and only Prisons' Jackson Kiprop kept close, finishing in 36:40.9.
The race organised by Athletics Kampala to celebrate Uganda's 46th Independence, attracted the highest number of participants including former Olympian Paskar Owor, who though finished 30th in 43:13.1.
With a pair of second-hand sports shoes at stake for every competitor, every runner seemed to put in as much effort to complete the circuit. Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) runner Alex Chesakit finished third in 37:17.0.
While some male competitors struggled to deal with the circuit that has a very tough hill dubbed 'the Kololo Killer', Adero Nyakisi needed only 32:20.8 to win the women's 8.7km race ahead Prisons teammate Achola Janet (35:53.8). The Saturday race is arguably the best Athletics Kampala has organized since its inauguration in 2004.
Results (men)
Isaac Kiprop (Standard) 36:18.1
Jack Kiprop (Prisons) 36:40.9
Alex Chesakit (UPDF) 37:13.0
Isma Senyange (Rhino) 37:28.6
Francis Musani (UPDF) 37:43.1
Moses Mwanga (UPDF) 37:49.1
Women
Adero Nyakisi (Prisons) 32:20.8
Achola Janet (Prisons) 35:53.8
I. Chemusto (Prisons) 35:56.8
Grace Chesang (UPDF) 36:15.5
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