Christmas bells chimed ahead of schedule for Isaac Kosgei and Magdalene Mukunzi after they became the toast of ‘the city of champions’ by running into the hallowed status of millionaires at the fourth Kass Standard Group Marathon in Eldoret. Kosgei conquered a field of 489 starters, arduous terrain and sunny conditions in 2:20.12.
In the corresponding women’s race Mukunzi caused all jaws to drop when she became the first athlete from outside the North Rift region to win the event in 2:44.56 illuminating the clock.
For their sweat, mental fortitude and inspiring runs, Kosgei and Mukunzi have the welcome pleasure of each having $20,000 (Sh1.6m) deposited to their accounts for their victories.
KTN, Radio Maisha and Kass FM media outlets ensured proceedings were brought live from the scenic start at Nabkoi, some five kilometres to the colourful finish at Eldoret Town Hall.
At the crack of dawn, starters of the 42km races donned their running kit to converge at the starting point as blaring choppers brought dignitaries that included Sports Minister, Paul Otuoma, South Africa’s marathon running icon, Hendrick Raamala and former record holder Paul Tergat among others to flag off the runs.
The women’s affair got away first with runners descending to the Lessos junction, scaling the hill to Chepterit, bypassing the scenic Kingwal Swamp, pouring to Kosirai, then to Mosoriot.
It was at this point that Mukunzi decided to drop the marker and discharged her first charge for top honours. Last year’s runner-up, Viola Bor, Gladys Odero, Irene Kipchumba, Rebecca Kisang and Pamela Chepng’etich quickly formed the chasing hounds.
At the 28km mark, Mukunzi, a former runner-up from Great North Run in the UK (2008) and Nyeri Half Marathon (2009) injected another burst of pace to unlock herself from the pack and this time, even the blessed home runners had no answer.
What followed was a majestic run to the finish, one that culminated with her charging through Mlango, Eldoret International Airport, Langas, Racecourse and Kenyatta Street road unchallenged into the Town Hall in victory.
Unable to comprehend what had just happened, Mukunzi burst into uncontrollable weeping as she profoundly thanked the Almighty for the unlikeliest of triumphs. Kisang (2:45:56) led the challengers home in second with Bor (2:45:52), Odero (2:49:33), Kipchumba (2:49:45) and Chepng’etich (2:52:27) filling the top six.
After emerging the top runner at last year’s Nairobi 10K slums talent search race, the progression of Kosgei as a formidable distance runner was sealed when he powered through the same course for victory.
Until the 30km, any of 20 athletes who formed the first breakaway group was in contention, but Francis Kosgei (no relation to the winner) pressed the accelerator taking his namesake, Victor Kipchirchir, Ronald Kimeli, Jacob Mutai and Simon Korir with him. Five kilometres later, the order was reversed with the eventual winner taking command and thereafter, did enough to steadily build the decisive gap that brought him home just shy of a minute ahead of the other Kosgei (2:21:08), the bridesmaid of the day with Kipchirchir (2:21:32) closing the podium.
Gideon Kipketer, who was in Kenya’s junior squad for the Bydgoszcz World Cross raced 35:47.8 for victory in the men’s 12km event as Rose Kirui (41:26.4) beat Berlin World Championships marathoner, Helena Kirop (41:58.5) to the women’s title.
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