Emmanuel Bor from Nandi and Millian Naktar from Embu are the winners of 13th Edition of Safaricom Imenti South 15km road race held today in Meru County.
Bor braced the chilly weather to set a new record at 48:32 thus beating the 49:24.0 set by Moses Koech last year. Hot on his heels were Lenai Lang’at and Alexander Mutiso who finished second and third in 48:39 and 49:02 respectively.
“This is my second time to participate in this race after my first one in 2017. Though the road was hilly with complicated terrain because of the rains, I was confident in my training and determined to win. I am looking forward to representing Kenya in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Bor.
Naktar, who was also participating for the second time, crossed the finish line at 52:37 ahead of Beatrice Chepkemoi (58:15) and Judith Chelono (59:12). She also broke last year’s women’s record of 57:08.22 set by Evaline Chirchir.
Bor and Naktar each went home with a cash prize of KES 100, 000 while the first and second runners-up in both categories pocketed KES 50, 000 and KES 25, 000 respectively. The road race, themed: ‘running for healthy and wealthy living’ comprised of 15km senior race for men and women, 4km for Masters (55 years and above), 200m for PWD Race (Wheel chairs only), 4 km for 11-14 years (Boys and Girls), 8km & 6 km for 15 -19 years (Boys & Girls respectively) and 2km VIP race- men & women.
The race attracted over 700 athletes offering a platform to nurture talents and promote athletics locally and internationally.
The Safaricom Imenti Road Race has produced a pool of athletes who have excelled both locally and internationally, including: Cyprian Kiogora, Isaac Kipkoech, Daniel Muteti, Lucy Karimi, Nancy Kathure, Betty Murungi, Esther Murugi, Dorothy Karimi, Timothy Kinoti, Alex Murithi, Stephen Mungathia, Kenneth Kimathi, Peter Mwololo, Monicah Muthoni, Daniel Mbogo, Elijah Mbogo, Jedidah Wanjiru and Frashia Nyambura among others.
This year Safaricom has sponsored ten long-distance races and track and field events under the Safaricom Athletics Series. So far 8 races have taken place including the Henry Wanyoike Road Run, 6th Deaf Half Marathon in Kericho, National Trials for 1st Africa Deaf Athletics Championships as well as the Iten Road Race, the Madoka Half Marathon, Isaiah Kiplagat Memorial Ndalat cross-country, Mombasa and Kisii Half Marathon with Kisumu Road Race being the only remaining race for 2019.
SELECTED RESULTS
15 km men
1. Emmanuel Bor- 48:32
2. Lenai Lang’at – 48:39
3. Alexander Mutiso – 49:02
4. Miko Mutai – 49:14
5. Emmanuel Bett – 49:33
15 km women
1. Milliam Naktar – 52:37
2. Chepkemoi Beatrice – 58:415
3. Judith Chelono- 59:12
4. Naomi Chemng’eno – 59:41
5. Mary Ann Wangari – 1:00:34
