Chesir, new kid Kangogo win Iten road race

What was meant to be an ordinary “morning run” ended up with 2010 Youth Olympic 3,000 metres champion Gladys Chesir emphatically cinching the Safaricom Iten 10km Road Race title on Saturday.

Banking on her usual hopping running style, the Africa Games-bound runner led from gun to tape to win the women’s race in Elgeyo Marakwet County in 34 minutes and 40.3 seconds, which was two places better than her third-place finish in last year’s race.

Gladys Yator was second in 35.08.3, followed by Viola Chelagat (35:32.2), Gladys Kimaina (35:52.2) and Eunice Chepkorir (36:04.9).

The diminutive Chesir, who booked her slot in the Africa Games after finishing fourth in the women’s 10,000 metres at the National Trials last weekend, said Saturday’s victory was encouraging ahead of the 11th edition of the continental showpiece.

The Africa Games are scheduled for September 4-19 in the Republic of Congo.

“I did not prepare for this race,” said Chesir, who is managed by Global Sports Communication. “I just woke up for a morning run but opted to use this as training.
“I started it off and I was strong and I decided to go for it.”

Chesir, winner of the 2014 Ndakaini Half Marathon, said the victory has fuelled her confidence that she will have sharpened her mettle before The African Games, where she will represent Kenya in the 24-lap track race.

Newfound talent Albert Kangogo, 27, beat more than 300 athletes to come home first in 30:00.0.

The Iten-born soft-spoken athlete clinched his first ever road running victory, having finished sixth in the Iten Half Marathon last month, third at the Cherangany Forest Conservation 10km race in March and ninth in the First Lady Half Marathon held in Nairobi earlier this year.

TIGHT RACE
“It was a tight race and I am happy for my first win,” said Kangogo. “I specially dedicate this to my family, who have prayed for me and continued buying me training shoes even when I did not do well.
“I promised them that I would do well when I stepped out of home this morning (yesterday) and God has showered me with his blessings. My family will be very proud of me.”

Wilfred Kimitei, improved one place from last year’s third position to second in 30:04.0, finishing ahead of Gilbert Masai (30:08.4), Festus Kangogo (30:20.1) and Emmanuel Bor (30:23.0).

Kangogo, who trains in Iten, is gearing up for the Hamburg 10km Road race, due on September 6.

“Now I can hit the road to prepare for Hamburg; my time to shine has finally come,” he enthused.