By Emily Wang'ombe

Sunday morning started with intense and star packed action at the UNEP 40th Anniversary Half Marathon. The event that was organized by Paul Tergat and William Chebron saw a title of 1000 participants take place.

Patrick Makau who graced the event promised to bring back home a gold medal after the Olympics in London. “I am well prepared for the Olympics in London and ready to come back with another gold, said the 2011 world record holder who is targeting on finishing in 2:2:12.

Victor Kipchirchir won in the tightly contested men’s 21 km race to carry home 100’000 kshs. He finished after 1:00:27 to beat closely advancing Kaniu Wanjiku who finished just a second later. Kipichirchir was using the race to gauge his performance in readiness to representing the country in Holland next month.

Kipchirchir was a little shy to show his intentions of scooping the top prize at the beginning but after 10kms he decided to add on his speed. “It has been a good race and it was a bit tight because the number two was always on my heel. I was running with Kiptum whom I train with but he got left off after 15kms so I waited for him and let the number two pass but I when he did not catch up with me I added on my speed," he said. Victor Kipchirchir, Kaniu Wanjiku, and Joseph Kiptum were first second and third respectively.

Mercy Chemutai was the one to reach the finish line first in the women’s category. The athlete who also does her practice at Iten is training to shift her training base to France where her manager is. She finished in 1:12:51, followed by Catherine Chepkemoi and Winfred Kwamboka respectively.

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