Ezekiel Kemboi Omullo, one of Kenya’s little known athletes, ran a tactical race on Sunday, December 4, to bag the 2022 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon title.
Omullo, who practices chicken farming in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, led his compatriots to a clean podium sweep.
He reached the tape in 02:20:20 ahead of Aderson Saitoti Seroi and Paul Eyanae.
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Saitoti and Eyanae clocked 02:20.18 and 02:20.23 respectively in the rainy and cold conditions.
There were nine Kenyans in the top 10 positions, with Japan’s Masashi Shirotake squeezing himself in - he finished ninth.
Ezekiel ventured into chicken farming in 2020 after the outbreak of the pandemic, which brought all sporting activities, both domestic and international to a halt for several months.
With the blessings of his wife, who is a police officer, the 34-year-old purchased a small parcel of land in the outskirts of Eldoret town and started the business with slightly over 50 chickens.
Speaking during the post race interview, Omullo revealed that he started the business to support his loved ones.
“I had no choice. I had to do something because my family depended on me.
"The two years taught me how fragile life is. One moment, I am earning while doing what I love (running) and the next moment, I am working as a farmer,” he was quoted by The Straits Times.
Kenya also had the last laugh in the women’s category, as all the top three positions went to their female athletes.
Esther Wanjiru Macharia clocked 02:45.09 to win the race ahead of Peninah Jepkeoch Kigen and Edinah Mutahi.
Winners of the race, in both the women’s and men’s category were each awarded $ 10,000 (approximately Ksh 1,200,000) in prize money.
Those who registered second and third-place finishes pocketed $ 5,000 (approximately Ksh 600,000) and $ 3,000 (approximately Ksh 369,000) respectively.
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