Kenyan athletes have once again confirmed their dominance in marathon races as John Muirurri Mburu and Caren Jebet Maiyo emerged winners of the maiden Kaduna Marathon yesterday in the male and female categories respectively.
The race, which featured 10km, 5km, and 21km was flagged off by Olympian Mary Onyali and Jimi Lawal, an adviser to Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and had over 23 elite athletes from nine African countries participating.
John Mburu was the man to beat as he clocked a time of 1:04.02, with Philip Taurus and Josphat Chobei following in 2nd and 3rd respectively with 1:05.20 and 1:05.78.
Just like the men’s race, Caren Maiyo led a clean sweep for Kenya in the women’s, taking the title in the 21km race in 1:12.43. Caren Cheptoeck (1:15.26) and Lilian Chemweno (1:15.32) settled for 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In the other categories, Mohammed Sani Musa from Kaduna State won the men’s category of the 5km race.
Kangyang Solomon from Plateau State won the female category of the 10km race, while 15-year-old Gyang David won the 10km race in his first national appearance.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government expressed gratitude to the runners, sponsors, citizens, media and government agencies that helped to successfully stage the first edition of the Kaduna Marathon.
A statement from Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication), stated that the first edition of the Kaduna Marathon has advanced the stated goals of promoting sports, encouraging social interaction and showing the best of Kaduna.
“The Kaduna State Government wishes to express its gratitude to everyone that has helped to make a success of the first edition of the Kaduna Marathon. The elite runners from several African countries brought high standards of long-distance running while Nigerian citizens, residents and visitors alike to Kaduna participated with enthusiasm, the statement said.
