Nyeri runner wins Mombasa International Marathon

Paul Maina from Nyeri on Sunday clocked two hours 12 minutes and 13 seconds to win the 33rd edition of the Mombasa International Marathon.

Sunday’s edition of annual race, which started and ended at Treasury Square, attracted a large number of competitors.

Maina said he was aiming at beating the meet record of 2:11.24 set by Samson Kipkemboi in 2009 but the hot and humid conditions in Mombasa affected his performance.

“I tried my best to establish a new course record for this event but I failed because it was too hot here,” said the 31-year-old Maina.

Samson Bor, an individual entrant, was second in a time of 2:12.50 while Nyamira’s Declerk Omari took third place in 2:12.79

In women’s category, Eldoret’s Nancy Chebet returned 2:40.01 to win. However, She was not happy with the time she posted.

Like men’s winner Maina, Chebet said she was aiming at bettering the time of 2:19.57 posted by Shelmith Muriuki who won last year’s race.

“When I finished third in the Hannover Marathon in Germany in April, I started training for the Mombasa Marathon with the aim of beating last year’s time but it was too hot here today,” said Chebet.

Sheila Chebet, an individual entrant finished second after clocking 2:44.09 with Winnie Frida from Nyamira taking third position in 2:44.25.

Joshua Kipkorir won the men 10km race when he returned 32:16.86, Patrick Mutunga was second (32:30.61) and Stephen Mwendwa, third (32:48.79).

Nancy Jepkosgei Kiprop of Iten took the women 10km title after finishing the race in 38:28.32, Beatrice Jepkorir Rutto of Kapcherop, an individual entrant was second (38:52.45) and Njoki Ndung’u from Nyahururu was third (39:15.56).

Athletics Kenya (AK) Coast branch chairman, Dimmy Kitavi said prizes were retained for eight runners, two top finishers from each event awaiting doping test results.

SELECTED RESULTS

Men 42km:

1. Paul maina (2:12.13)

2. Samson Bor (2:12.50)

3. Declerk Omari (2:12.79)

4. James Tallam (2:13.00)

5. Luka Chelimo (2:13.06).

Women 42km:

1. Nancy Chebet Koech (2:40.01)

2. Sheila Chebet (2:44.09)

3. Winnie Frida (2:44.25)

4. Frida Lodepa (2:45.19)

5. Monica Mengich (2:46.29).

Men 10km:

1. Joshua Kipkorir (32:16.86)

2. Patrick Mutunga (32:30.61)

3. Stephen Mwendwa (32:48.79)

4. Edwin Rotich (32: 52.03)

5. Abraham Kiptum (32: 52.30)

Women 10km:

1. Nancy Kiprop (38:28.32)

2. Beatrice Rutto (38:52.45)

3. Njoki Ndung’u (39:15.56)

4. Shelmith Muriuki (39:15.56)

5. Florence Nduku (41:40.54)