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<\/a><\/p>\nJames Minudi<\/p>\n
18 December 2011<\/p>\n
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True to his word, defending Safaricom Kisumu Marathon champion Joseph Biwott on Sunday retained his title lakeside – and in a course record time.<\/p>\n
Biwott, 35, from Iten, had on Thursday vowed to keep the title he won at last year’s race and on Sunday, he made good and added the course record to his name after running two hours, 13 minutes and 41 seconds to victory.<\/p>\n
The women’s race also saw a course record when Commonwealth Games silver medallist Irene Mogaka won in 2:38.00.<\/p>\n
Over 1,000 athletes competed in the annual race with Athletics Kenya secretary david Okeyo saying they are thinking of changing the course next year.<\/p>\n
“This year’s course was great and I would like to thank the police for making sure the traffic flowed well,” said Okeyo.<\/p>\n
Some athletes who were caught cheating along the route were promptly arrested as over 1,000 athletes turned up for the annual race.<\/p>\n
Biwott was in the leading pack from the start and made his intentions known early.<\/p>\n
Benjamin Koech from Kapsabet followed in the second place in 2:14.13 and James Karioki from Limuru was third in 2:14.23.<\/p>\n
While Mogaka from Kisii won in the women’s category, Perezz Chepkorir from Iten followed in second place, clocking in 2:40.21 and in third position was Mercy Jemutai, also from Iten, in 2:41.30.<\/p>\n
The race was flagged off by Safaricom’s head of human resource, Joseph Ogutu, at the Awasi Trading Centre.<\/p>\n
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