Kenya: Erupe And Kerubo Tops in Mombasa

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

16 May 2011

LODWAR’S Wilson Loyonae Erupe clocked 2:13 minutes to win the Safaricom Mombasa International Marathon yesterday in Mombasa.

This was Loyonae’s third marathon since his debut last year. He was followed in second place by Frederick Mwangirwa who was timed at 2:13:10 with Jacob Yator from Kapkitony camp coming third in 2:13:58.

Sammy Kemboi also from Kapkitony posted 2:16:15 to finish fourth with team-mate Benson Kiprono returning 2:20:00 to close the top five places. This was a great moment for Loyonae who was seventh at the Kass marathon and sixth in Kisumu last year.

In Mombasa Loyonae ran a fantastic race on a course that snaked through Mombasa streets taking in all the historical landmarks of Kenya’s second largest city and ghraced by Mombasa Mayor Ahmed Mohdhar.

The winner stuck with the leaders for the better part of the race before breaking away with 7 km to go. After the race, the winner said he is happy with his progress and said this victory had encouraged him to aim higher. “Like any other marathoner, I want to run in the big city races like London, Boston and New York but I understand it will be one step at a time. Slowly we will reach there,” he said.

The biggest casualty in the men’s race was Uganda’s 2007 Luxembourg champion Alex Malinga, who could not cope with the Mombasa heat, finishing 10th overall. Malinga, who was sixth at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki, Finland, clocked 2:23:26.

In the women’s race, Rose Kerubo of Police help off stiff competition to top the women’s 42km race. Kerubo, who was fifth at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, posted 2:39:01 to win the race ahead of Eldoret’s Tabitha Kibet, who clocked 2:45.34 and third placed Rebecca Talam of Kapsabet, who came in at 2:46.05.

Anastasia Ndereba, younger sister of former world champion Catherine Ndereba was fourth in 2:49.59 followed by Eunice Korir of Iten in 2:50:12.

Peter Kimanthi topped the men’s 10km race, recording 32:51.75. He finished ahead ahead of Limuru’s Julius Mbugua (32:56.07) and Salim Saiti (33:02:07), who finished second and third respectively. Jane Mwikali of Prisons won the women’s 10km race, returning 39:10.02. Ann Wabera of Ngong was second in 39:38.86 while Miriam Masengye completed the podium position with a 39:45.20 timing.

RESULTS

Men 42 km

1. Wilson Loyonae Erupe 2:13:00

2. Frederick Mwangirwa (2:13:10)

3. Jacob Yator 2:13:58

4. Sammy Kemboi 2:16:15

5.Benson Kiprono (2:20.15

6.Peter Kariuki 2:21:17

7. Alex Kipkorir 2:21:34

8. Alfred kipsang (2:21:57

9. Peter Mutua02:22.26

10. Alex Malinga (Uganda) 2:23.26

Women

1. Rose Kerubo 2:39:01

2. Tabitha Kibet 2:45:34

3. Rebecca Talam 2:46:05

4. Anastasia Ndereba 2:49.59

5. Eunice Korir 2:50:12

6. Beatrice Wanjiru 2:50:25.

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