Kwemoi, Chepkirui win Standard Chartered Half Marathon

Andrew Kwemoi (left) leads Edmond Kipng'etich (centre) and Kiprono Koech during the men's Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Half Marathon race on October 27, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |

What you need to know:

  • Kwemoi took off from a pack of four athletes with three kilometres to go to win in 1 hour, 01 minutes and 51 seconds.
  • The 20-year-old Kwemoi edged out Kiprono Koech and Edmond Kipng'etich to second and third places
  • Chepkirui, the former Africa 5,000m champion, left her teammate Deborah Samum at the 19km mark to triumph on her first appearance over the distance and the race

Newcomer Andrew Kwemoi from Trans Nzoia and Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya Defence Forces are the winners of this year's Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Half Marathon.

Kwemoi took off from a pack of four athletes with three kilometres to go to win in one hour, one minute and 51 seconds.

Andrew Kwemoi talks to journalists after winning men's Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Half Marathon at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi on October 27, 2019. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |

The 20-year-old Kwemoi, who is fresh from finishing third at Family Bank Marathon in Eldoret, edged out Kiprono Koech and Edmond Kipng'etich to second and third places in 1:02:01 and 1:02:06 respectively.

"The weather was good and the flat course made it better," said Kwemoi, who however advised the organisers to plan the race well to avoid congestion at the start. "Ideally, they need to keep elite athletes some distance from the rest of the pack."

A spectator cheers athletes during the Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Marathon at Nyayo Stadium on October 27, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Chepkirui, the former Africa 5,000m champion, left her teammate Deborah Samum at the 19km mark to triumph on her first appearance over the distance and the race.

"I really enjoyed the race and it felt good this being my first half Marathon race," said Chepkirui, who is fresh from winning Durban 10km race in South Africa. Samum finished second.

Participants run in this year's Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Marathon along Uhuru Highway on October 27,2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |

SELECTED RESULTS

Men’s Half Marathon
1. Andrew Kwemoi (1:01:51)
2. Kiprono Koeach (1:02:01)
3. Edmond Kipnng'etich (1:02:06)
4. Hosea Kiplimo (1:02:51)
5. Collins Kemboi (1:03:00)
6. Moses Kibet (1:03:04)
7. Edwin Kipleting (1:03:14)
8. Timothy Rono (1:03:20)
9. Isaac Kipkemboi (1:03:30)
10. Vincent Kimutai (1:03:37)
Women’s Half Marathon
1. Sheila Chepkirui (1:11:51)
2. Deborah Samum (1;12:10)
3. Gladys Chemaiyo (1:13:46)
4. Cynthia Kosgei
5. Daisy Cherotich
6. Joan Kipyatich
7. Shyline Torotich
8. Yusta Mwania
9. Jackline Cherono
10. Quintor Katuyi