Jerop, Kemboi win Kass Marathon

Cynthia Jerop crosses the finish line at Eldoret Sports Club to win the Kass International Marathon women's race on November 18, 2018. Jerop clocked 2:39:16, Beatrice Jepkorir came second in 2:45:07 while Peris Jepchirchir finished third clocking 2:46:16. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

What you need to know:

  • Debutante and former world half marathon record holder Peris Jepchirchir was third in 2:46:15

  • The athlete who trains in Kapsabet said she is happy to have won the race and will be taking some time off to recover before she resumes training with focus on the World Cross Country Championships to be held in Denmark in March

  • In the men's race, Jackson Kemboi emerged winner in a time of 2:20:27

Cynthia Jerop and newcomer Jackson Kemboi are the winners of this year's Kass International Marathon held in Eldoret on Sunday.

The athletes braved chilly weather conditions to win their respective races in one of the toughest courses in the country.

Jerop, who was second in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon last month, clocked 2:39:16 to finish first ahead of Beatrice Ruto who came a distant second in 2:45:07. Debutante and former world half marathon record holder Peris Jepchirchir was third in 2:46:15.

Peris Jepchirchir during the Kass International Marathon women’s race in Eldoret on November 18, 2018. Cynthia Jerop won the race locking 2:39:16, Beatrice Jepkorir came second in 2:45:07 while Peris Jepchirchir finished third clocking 2:46:16. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

"I came to participate in the race as part of my usual long run. After 10km, I reacted and no one followed me and that's how I was able to control my pace to the finish line," said Jerop.

The athlete who trains in Kapsabet said she is happy to have won the race and will be taking some time off to recover before she resumes training with focus on the World Cross Country Championships to be held in Denmark in March.

"The season has come to an end and I will be taking some time to rest and recover because running two marathons in three weeks is not a joke," she admitted.

"I would also love to be in the Kenyan team that will be heading to the World Cross Country Championships. I'm happy the trials will be held in Eldoret which is advantageous to me," added Jerop.

Jackson Kemboi crosses the finish line at Eldoret Sports Club to win the Kass International Marathon men's race on November 18, 2018. Kemboi clocked 2:20:27, Silas Mwetich came second in 2:21:10 while Dennis Kiptoo finished third clocking 2:21:14. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

In the men's race, Jackson Kemboi emerged winner in a time of 2:20:27. He was closely followed by Silas Mwetich who clocked 2:21:10. Dennis Kiptoo sealed the podium places in 2:21:14.

"The race was tough but I had prepared well. It was competitive and that's why I ran from behind up to the 36km mark where I increased my pace before beating one athlete (Mwetich) who was ahead of me in the last few kilometers," said Kemboi who runs under Global Sports Communications.

In the men's 10km race, Gilbert Kimunyan won after running 29:44.1 ahead of Kennedy Kimutai who clocked 30:01.6 while Amos Kiptoo sealed the podium in 30:01.9.

In the women's 10km race, Joyce Jepkemoi finished first in 34:50.9 ahead of Maureen Jepkemoi who clocked 34:53.7 while Loice Jepkirui was third after clocking 34:36.6.

Selected results

42km women

1. Cynthia Jerop - 2:39.16

2. Beatrice Rutto - 2:45.07

3.Peris Jepchirchir - 2:46.15

4.Dorcas Jepchirchir - 2:46.62

5.Sheila Jepkoech - 2:47.40

6.Salina Chebet - 2:48.03

42km men

1.Jackson Kemboi - 2:20.27

2.Silas Mwetich - 2:21.10

3.Dennis Kiptoo - 2:21.14

4.David Tanui - 2:22.05

5.Philip Birech - 2:22.36

6.Moses Kigen - 2:23.03

10km men

1.Gilbert Kimunyan - 29:44.1

2.Kennedy Kimutai - 30:01.6

3.Amos Kiptoo - 30:01.9

4.Daniel Kiprotich -30:05.3

5.Philemon Kiplimo - 30:10.5

6.Alfred Kipyego - 30:10.9

10km women

1.Joyce Jepkemoi - 34:50

2.Maurine Jepkemoi - 34:53.7

3.Loice Jepkirui - 34:36.6

4.Caroline Korir - 34:37.7

5.Gladys Chepkirui - 35:01.1

6.Rebecca Chesang - 36:04.9