Chepngeno taking on Valencia 10km after Mwale triumph

After a successful half marathon debut over the weekend, Viola Chepngeno has shifted her focus to the Valencia 10km race set for January 14.

Chepngeno won the 21km race during the inaugural Mwale Medical and Training City, which is proof she can compete comfortably on the roads.

“I came here without proper half marathon preparations since I am more of a 10km runner,” said Chepngeno. “This win has motivated me to try my luck in the bigger half marathons soon.”

She clocked 1:12:54 to win at Mwale ahead of Christine Njoki in 1:13:31 and Glorious Jepkirui in 1:14:02.

Chepngeno has had a good run in 10km. She finished third at the Brasov 10km, where Agnes Ngetich set the unratified 10km world women-only record.

“The winning shows that I can run a half marathon very well. I also want to represent the country at next year’s World Cross Country Championships,” she said.

Eliud Maiyo and Irene Cherop were the 42km winners under hot conditions.

Maiyo clocked 2:24:20 ahead of Dennis Kiprotich (2:24:29), Moses Kige-(2:27:21), Duncan Manyara (2:28:00) and Henry Kosgei (2:30:10).

Cherop timed 2:46:23 to beat Viola Chemos to second in 2:49:23 as Rael Kiara (2:53:47), Sally Jepkosgei (2:55.:13) and Joy Lemuma (2:56:48) completed the top five slots.42km men

However, Maiyo bemoaned the status of the course, saying: “I have never run on such a hard and harsh course. It is full of hills and slopes but my training came in handy. Mixing rough roads and tarmac is very challenging — one is soft while the other is hard.

Cherop, from Iten, said she trains mid-morning which was key since she is used to sunny conditions.

“I train around 11 am and that marched with today’s weather,” she said.

This was her second 42km race after winning Mt. Ruwenzori marathon.

posted Monday December 18th
by Emmanuel Sabuni