Former world half marathon silver medallist Phillis Ongori won the Unep half marathon race yesterday.

Ongori winner of the 2011 Rotterdam marathon took charge of the event at the 15 kilometre mark and she sped past Helen Chepurgot and Elizabeth Rumokol to clock 1:08:59. Eunice Kioko was second in 1:09:24 folloewed by Chepurgot in 1:09.36.

Emily Samoei led the pace in the initial stages under hot, sunny conditions with a bunch of five runners by her side. They included Ongori, Rumokol, Chepkurgot and Anne Gatheri. At the six kilometre mark Samoei stole a match on the field and looked to extend her lead but the chasing pack caught up with her .

Chepurgot and Rumokol then exchanged leads at ten kilometres before being joined by Ongori. The three broke away before Ongori increased the pace at 15 kilometres.

Kioko gave chase as Chepurgot faded but the effort was in vain as Ongori sped away to collect the Sh150,000 winners prize. Kioko pocketed Sh75,000 with Chepkurgot also taking home Sh75,000.

Ongori was delighted by the victory. "It was tough course and the heat even made it harder but in the final six kilometers I knew the the other runners would be slow and I increased the pace" added Ongori.

In the mens category Dickson Chumba outsprinted Jackson Limo to win the title. Chumba clocked 1:04:32 with Limo second and John Lotiang third in 1:04.52.

The three athletes ran side by side from the halfway point. None of the runners were willing to set the pace buy at in final two kilometres Chumba sped off.