Kirui and Chepkwony stun athletes in Kericho

By Peter Mutai

Sammy Kirui beat a field of more than 500 athletes to win the 21km race in the Tea Run Cross Country at the weekend in Kericho Town.

Kirui won the race after clocking 1:05:15 to pocket a top prize of Sh250,000. The event, which was sponsored by the Tea Board of Kenya, aimed at promoting tea consumption locally.

Kirui was closely followed by Shadrack Kemboi in a time of 1:09:25 seconds, while the third position went to Kirui Chesan who completed the hotly contest race in 1:12:43.

Kemboi carried home Sh100,000, while Chesan got Sh50,000. The race was held around the various tea estates owned by multinational company in Kericho town.

In the women's category, Caroline Chepkwony clocked 1:11.20 to emerge the winner. She was followed closely by Naomi Maiyo in 1:13:46, while Lucikat Jepokoro finished third after clocking 1:14.10.

Chepkwony pocketed Sh250,000, while Maiyo and Jepokoro went home with Sh100,000 and Sh 50,000 respectively. In the 10 km men, Wilfred Kirwa emerged the winner after clocking 31:27. He was closely followed by Shadrack Tonui (31:40) and Philemon Cheruiyot (31:48:09).

In the 10km women, Judith Chepkorir won and was followed by Gladys Cherop (43:38:07), while her compatriot Betty Cherono came third in 43:56:01.

Speaking at the event, Kenya Tea Board of Kenya Managing Director Sicily Kariuki said the company was using the event to market and popularise the consumption of tea locally.

"We wanted to get started in our campaign and marketing strategy in Kericho, the home of tea growing zone in the country to promote consumption of tea locally," she said.

Kariuki said the board wanted to involve athletes in their marketing strategy saying tea is a healthy drink and should be taken by Kenyans.

Energy Assistant minister Charles Keter represented Agriculture Minister William Ruto who was the chief guest in the event which attracted more than 500 athletes.

Source: The Standard | Online Edition