Edward Zakayo's message to Daniel Simiu after missing his course record at Okpekpe road race

Edward Zakayo's message to Daniel Simiu after missing his course record at Okpekpe road race

Abigael Wafula 16:46 - 28.05.2024

Former world under-20 champion Edward Zakayo has made a daring message to Daniel Simiu after missing out on the latter's course record at the Okpekpe Road Race.

Former world under-20 champion Edward Zakayo has explained what cost him the course record at the just concluded Okpekpe international road race.

Zakayo narrowly missed out on Daniel Simiu’s course record, clocking 29:31 to cross the finish line, winning the race. He led a clean Kenyan sweep, with Isaac Too and Alex Korio finishing second and third in respective times of 29:36 and 29:50.

Simiu, the course record holder, clocked an impressive time of 28:28 to win last year’s edition of the race but he could not return for this year’s edition of the race since he was part of the team that was bidding for a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Prefontaine Classic.

Ethiopia’s Haftamu Gebresilase came in fourth, crossing the finish line in a time of 29:59. In a post-race interview, Zakayo insisted that he was not pushed hard by his competitors, and singled out the Ethiopian, who was the only other athlete to run under 29 minutes.

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“I was not pushed hard by those I competed against. The course is also very hard, especially towards the end. I am ready to come back and fight for the title with Daniel. I am not afraid of him,” Zakayo said regarding the race.

Meanwhile, the women’s race was won by Gladys Kwamboka, who attested that the tough course did not allow her to clock a faster time.

Kwamboka clocked 33:05 to lead a Kenyan sweep of Regina Wambui and Sheila Jerotich who clocked respective times of 33:38 and 34:27.

The Kenyan singled out the course as one of the hardest she has ever competed on. The course record in the women’s race was set by Caroline Kipriuki, who clocked 32.38 to win the race.

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