Kenyans stamp authority in Kilimanjaro Marathon

Kenyan athletes have continued to stamp their ultimate authority in the Kilimanjaro Marathon after sweeping nearly all prizes of the annual event held here yesterday.

David Ruto won the men’s race in the 42km full marathon with in a timing of 2:16:04 followed by compatriots Julius Kilimo and Victor Serem who clocked 2:16:17 and 2:16:32 respectively.

In the women’s full marathon, Kenyan Frida Lodepa huffed to the finishing line first overwhelming compatriots Joan Rutich and Jackline Kithia to post her second victory of the race.

The 32-year-old Lodepa, who won the 2012 edition and finished third last year, spent 2:40:11 to finish the race followed by Rutich and Kithia who clocked 2:42:46 and 2:55:19, respectively.

However, Tanzanian Jackline Sakilu turned out to be the heroine of the day after winning the 21km half marathon in a record time of 1:12:43 leaving behind Kenyan duo of Cynthia Tonett (1:14:33) and Naomi Maiyo (1:17:47). 

Beaming with extensive smile and waving her hands, Sakilu, a soldier from Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), was given a standing ovation by the home crowd as she was speeding to the finish line.

Kenyan trio were again at the helm of men’s half marathon as Lagat Alfers (1:02:04) winning the race followed by Silah Limo Kipkemboi (1:03:04) and Kenneth Kandie (1:03:20).

Another low-profile consolations for home athletes came from Dar es Salaam-based Saimon Mlewa Parasu who won the 10-kilometre Disabled Race men’s category followed by Moshi athletics duo of Emmanuel Sule and Mohamed Mzee.

Another host city’s athlete Joyce Joseph emerged winner in the women’s category followed by Hadija Bakari of Arusha and Linda Macha from Dodoma.  

In the  five-kilometer km Fun Run, Fabiano Nelson of Moshi emerged won the men’s category followed by homeboys Wilbard Peter and Bazir John, while Arusha’s Natalie Elisante led from the start to finish first ahead of Rozaria Fabiano and Aisha Juma also from Arusha.

Winners of the full marathon in both categories took home 4m/- each while second and third-placed winners pocketed 2m/- and 1m/- each, respectively.

Prize package for the half marathon winners for both men and women was two million shillings and half of the sum was earmarked for runners-up and third-placed winners pocketed 500,000/- each.

Banuelia Katesigwa and Daud Lwabe, who both finished in ninth positions in women’s and men’s categories, were the only Tanzanians among top ten runners in the full marathon.

Katesigwa and Lwabe were awarded special watches used by athletes.

The total prize fund package for the event was over 40m/- in the event that attracted in excess of 6,000 competitors. 

Behind the sponsorship were Tanzania Breweries, Vodacom Tanzania, GAPCO, Simba Cement, KK Security, Keys Hotel, TPC Sugar, TanzaniteOne, CMC Automobiles Ltd, Kibo Palace, RwandAir, FNB Tanzania, UNFPA and Kilimanjaro Water.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN