Cherop, who was an impressive winner of the Blaydon Race on Wednesday had to play second fiddle to Kimutai, losing out by over three minutes with the winner posting a stunning time of 1hr 2min 7sec.
Kimutai, who was having his first race in the UK this year after returning from his home land, was always going to be the one to beat after finishing in second place in last year’s Great North Run, as well as producing an eye-catching seventh place in the World Half-Marathon Championships in Birmingham.
His pedigree also includes victories in both the Reading and Hastings half-marathons last year so it was no surprise that he led the 1,500-strong field home in splendid style.
Cherop finished in 1:05:06 and Zak Kihara made it a clean sweep for home-based Africans by taking third place in 1:08:32.
Following the top three came Alnwick’s Dave Kirkland who just edged out Heaton’s James Buis by 14 seconds to claim the region’s bragging rights.
Rotherham’s Jennie Blizard, having her first race since the London Marathon, halted an African double success by winning the women’s race in 1:18:05.
Ethiopia’s Yimenashu Taye, who was third in the Blaydon Race, finished in second place over a minute behind while Birchfield’s Genet Measso, ninth at Blaydon, crossed the line in third place.
Sunderland Strollers’ Louise Noble was the pick of the North East athletes, finishing in fourth position.
RESULT: 1 K Kimutai (Kenya) 1:02:07; 2 E Cherop (Kenya) 1:05:46; 3 Z Kihara (Kenya) 1:08:32; 4 D Kirkland (Alnw) 1:10:01; 5 J Buis (Heat) 1:10:15; 6 P Lowe (V40, NthYkM) 1:11:00; 7 J Bulman (NthYkM) 1:11:35; 8 G Taylor (T&W Fire) 1:11:36; 9 I Crampton (V45, 1:11:59); 10 A Tatham (NthYkM) 1:12:46. Women: 1 J Blizard (Roth) 1:18:05; 2 Y Taye (Eth) 1:19:30; 3 G Measso (Birch) 1:22:13; 4 L Noble (SundSt) 1:24:16; 5 S Rogers (Heat) 1:27:00; 6 K Simpson (Gates) 1:27:50.
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