Ugandans dominate MTN Kampala Marathon
Participants finishing the 10km during the MTN Marathon that started and ended at Kololo Air Strip. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
What you need to know:
Rotich had finished ahead of Felix Chemonges by 21 seconds while Fred Arapsudi came third in 1:06:24. Racheal Chebet posted 1:18:30 in the women’s 21km, also bagging Shs4m.
KAMPALA. There is more than enough to tell that organisers were impressed with the turn up at the 13th edition of the MTN Kampala Marathon on Sunday.
Thousands of participants, like it has been in the previous editions, were already set at dawn for the different events in 10km, 21km and 42km at Kololo Independence ground.
Participants set off for the 10km during the MTN Marathon that started and ended at Kololo Air Strip last year. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
To add to that, it was Ugandan runners who dominated the top events, sweeping nearly all categories bar the women’s 42km. Kenyan had dominated to previous edition.
But Sunday was intact for the hosts once Elisha Chemutai and Mercyline Chelangat scooped top positions in the 10km events, each taking home Shs1.5m. Chemutai posted 29:25 while Chelangat was home in 33:39.
Uganda's Bernard Cheptoch leading the pack. He won the men's 42km race with a time of 02:19:13 during the MTN Marathon at Kololo Air Strip and a cash prize of Shs 14m. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
Then Daniel Rotich’s transition to road running got better as he won the half-marathon distance in 1:06:01.
“I feel happy,” Rotich said moments after crossing the finish-line. This was his second half-marathon title having won the event in 2013.
“Everything was fine,” said the 24-year-old. “My plan now is to prepare for World cross-country championships next year.”
On the left, a participant takes a selfie on completing the 10km during the MTN Marathon. Acrobats entertaining the runners after the MTN Marathon. Photos by Ismail Kezaala
Rotich had finished ahead of Felix Chemonges by 21 seconds while Fred Arapsudi came third in 1:06:24. Racheal Chebet posted 1:18:30 in the women’s 21km, also bagging Shs4m.
And it is Rotich’s training partner Bernard Cheptoch who sealed the men’s marathon gong after clocking 2:19:13. “The race was okay,” with beads of sweat rolling down his face, Cheptoch said after crossing the line.
By then, lots of participants in the 10km event has resorted to aerobics, taking selfies and others dancing away.
“This is my first marathon win and I hope to work harder so I can get better events to do outside Uganda.” added Cheptoch who took home Shs14m.
Singer Cinderella Sanyu entertaining the crowd after the MTN Marathon that started and ended at Kololo Air Strip on Sunday. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
Joshua Bekele scooped Shs7m after taking second in 2:21:40 while David Cherop got Shs3.5m in third place.
Kenyan trio led by Rael Japyator, Rosina Kibono and Monica Jepkiror scooped the podium places in the ladies‘ 42km race. Japyator, a training partner with renown Mary Keitany and Wilson Kipsang defended her title in 2:52:56.
2016 MTN MARATHON
MEN’S 10KM
1 Elisha Chemutai (UGA) 29:25
2 Micheal Kiprop (UGA) 29:27
3 Martin Musau (UGA) 29:32
WOMEN’S 10KM
1 Mercyline Chelangat (UGA) 33:39
2 Esther Chekwemoi (UGA) 35:53
3 Risper Chebet (UGA) 36:28
MEN’S 21KM
1 Daniel Rotich (UGA) 1:06:01
2 Felix Chemonges (UGA) 1:06:22
3 Fred Arapsudi (UGA) 1:06:24
WOMEN’S 21KM
1 Racheal Zena Chebet (UGA) 1:18:30
2 Doreen Chemutai (UGA) 1:19:02
3 Dorcus Ajok (UGA) 1:20:00
MEN’S 42KM
1 Bernard Cheptoch (UGA) 2:19:13
2 Joshua Bekele (UGA) 2:21:40
3 David Cherop (UGA) 2:22:04
WOMEN’S 42KM
1 Rael Japyator (KEN) 2:52:56
2 Rosina Kibono (KEN) 2:53:19
3 Monica Jepkorir (KEN) 3:00:21.
