Kenyans impress at the Kaohsiung Marathon in China

ATHLETICS Kenyans impress at the Kaohsiung Marathon in China

Abigael Wafula 13:00 - 26.11.2023

Stephen Mugambi and Careen Cheptoek destroyed strong fields to clinch top honours at the Kaohsiung Marathon.

Stephen Mungathia Mugambi and Careen Mwetich Cheptoek led a Kenyan podium sweep in the men’s and women’s races respectively at the Kaohsiung Marathon in China.

The men’s started off with more than 10 men vying for top honours but it was Mugambi who carried the day with a commanding win.

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Mugambi clocked 2:14:58 to cross the finish line ahead of compatriots Joseph Ngare and Lukas Muteti. Ngare and Muteti finished second and third in respective times of 2:18:17 and 2:20:52.

Mugambi looked comfortable and was running with the leading pack for the better part of the race before the 35km mark where he decided to make the charge.

He looked poised for the win and by the time he was cutting the tape, his closest challenger, Ngare, was not even in sight.

Mugambi started off his season with a third-place finish at the Jakarta Marathon and ending his season with a win is a plus.

Meanwhile, the women’s race saw Cheptoek take the win in a Personal Best time of 2:40:28. Priscila Kipruto and Monica Ndiritu finished second and third in respective times of 2:45:28 and 2:49:22.

Cheptoek also looked comfortable for the better part of the race since she was in the lead from gun to tape. She made the decision to part from the group at the 38km mark and sprinted to the finish line and took top honours.

Cheptoek opened her season with a 15th-place finish at the Kigali International Peace Half Marathon and a win in China is the best revenge.

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