Kenyans victorious at Great Manchester Run

From Left: Daniel Salel of Kenya, Stephen Sambu of Kenya, Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia, Lani Rutto of Kenya and Ben True of the United States approach the finish line of the Boston Marathon as part of the 2014 B.A.A. 5K race course on April 19, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. FILE PHOTO | ALEX TRAUTWIG |

What you need to know:

  • Stephen Sambu and Betsy Saina win events.
  • Sambu ended an eight-year drought for Kenya in the men's event.

Kenyans Stephen Sambu and Betsy Saina are this year’s Great Manchester Run men and women champions.

Sambu ended an eight-year drought for Kenya in the men's event, claiming victory in the 10km race in 27 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday.

Sambu’s exploits were nine seconds off the course record held by Kenya’s Micah Kogo, who was the last Kenyan to win the race in 2007 with a time of 27:24.

Sambu also became the third Kenyan to win the race after Kogo and the legendary Paul Tergat, who won the inaugural 2003 race.

South African Stephen Mokoka was second in 27:38.

BIG NAMES

The men’s race was full of big names, including American Bernard Lagat and former World marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang as well as legendary two-time Olympic gold medallist Haile Gebrselassie but it was Mokoka and Sambu who set the early pace.

Sambu raced smartly, though, as he trotted behind Mokoka and waited for the perfect moment to strike.

That moment came in the seventh kilometre, as he pulled clear of his rival for a superb victory.

Sambu’s finishing time was the third-fastest ever recorded at the Great Manchester Run, and just nine seconds off of world-record pace.

Sambu is looking to take part in the Rio Olympics in 2016, and based on his form in Manchester, he’ll be one to watch. Gebrselassie came in 16th in the elite men's race.

SET THE TONE

Saina, competing in the race for the first time, became the second Kenyan woman to win the race after 2009 World 10,000m gold medallist Linet Masai in 2012.

She crossed the line in 31:49, but the tone was set from the start as she stormed out of the traps and left the field behind her.

Great Britain’s Gemma Steel settled for second in 31:55 as two-time World marathon champion Edna Kiplagat came third 31:57.

Caroline Kilel kept the early pace with Saina, but the Commonwealth silver medallist soon fell away, allowing Steel to power through.

Steel, however, remained around eight seconds behind the leader for the duration, and even though she pushed hard toward the end, Saina was just too strong.

Kiplagat followed behind Steel in third.