The inaugural Nairobi City Marathon dubbed Uhuru Classic lived up to the hype as athletes in various categories came out to test their prowess along the 27-kilometre Nairobi Expressway.
The event, held in Nyayo Stadium, saw the athletes compete in 5 km, 10 km, 21 km and 42 km races.
Arguably, the most competitive event, Brimin Kipkorir Misoi won the men's 42 kilometres with a time of 2 hours 08 minutes 30 seconds. He took home Ksh6.9 million ($60,000).
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Richard Rop followed closely with a time of 2:09:17 while Daniel Yator rounded up the top three list with a time of 2:10:15.
The athletes won Ksh4.02 million and Ksh2.87 million respectively.
In the women's category, Agnes Barsosio dominated the race with a record time of 2 hours 24 minutes and 45 seconds. She was followed by Shyline Jepkorir and Sharon Jemutai respectively.
Barsosio bagged Ksh6.9 million while the runners up won Ksh4.02 million. Upon finishing third, Jemutia scooped up Ksh2.87 million.
The event, hailed as the richest in Africa, saw the organizers set aside about Ksh44.8 million for the winners. Aside from the medal holders, fourth and fifth-placed athletes would also walk away with Ksh1.44 million and Ksh1.15 million respectively.
The winners in the men's and women’s 21-kilometre category would get Ksh287,500 with second and third-placed finishers receiving Ksh143,750 and Ksh86,250 respectively.
Further, winners in 10 km would earn Ksh172,500 each with second and third place finishers receiving Ksh115,000 and Ksh80,000. There was no prize money for the five-kilometre race.
LIST
Nairobi City Marathon
Women's 42KM
1. Agnes Barsosio - 2:24:45
2. Shyline Jepkorir
3. Sharon Jemutai
Women's 21KM
1. Irine Kamais
2. Sophy Jepchirchir
3. Emily Chebet
Men's 21KM
1. Vincent Ngetich
2. Charles Yosei
3. Geoffrey Kipyego
Men's 42KM
1. Brimin Kipkorir Misoi - 2:08:30
2. Richard Rop - 2:09:17
3. Daniel Yator - 2:10:15
Men's 10KM
1. Langata Kipkurui
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Richard Etir
Women's 10KM
1. Gladys chepkiuri
2. Viola Chepngeno
3. Fridah Ndinda