Half Marathon winners | Men
2018 Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon Mens 21Km Race Winners
Philemon Rono, a two-time Toronto Marathon champion and 2009 world cross country junior bronze medallist clocked 62:23.6 to win ahead of Davis Kiprotich who finished second in 63:11.7 and Wesley Kimutai who completed the race in 63:15.0. The two counties of Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu transverse road race aimed at conserving Kaptagat forest.
Rono took an early lead after 5km mark and led to the tape. Philemon trains in Kaptagat with Eliud Kipchoge, a world athlete champion. Running on home ground where he trains daily was a pleasant experience for Rono. He felt good to be cheered by his people lining the road. However, Rono admits that Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon was competitive.
To the Course Director, Patrick Birgen, the participation of the world-famed athletes raised the Half Marathon a notch higher the expected. At the finish point, Rono was received by his Global Sports Communication training companions Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworo, a three-time world half marathon champion, who was the ambassador of the event; also former Olympic and world marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, Amsterdam marathon champion Bernard Kipyego among others.
Top Ten Men category [21 KM]
- 1. Philemon Rono-62:23.6
- 2. David Kiprotich-63:11.7
- 3. Wesley Kimutai-63:15.0
- 4. Bethwel Yegon-63:18.8
- 5. Justus Cheboi-63:23.5
- 6. Paul Longachei-63:25.4
Half Marathon winners | Women
2018 Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon Mens 21Km Race Winners
Cynthia Jerop, former World Cross Country junior bronze medallist and the reigning Hannover Half Marathon champion won Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon title after clocking 71:30 as Celestine Jepchichir came second timing 72.67 followed by Joyce Chepchichir in third clocking 73.57. Jerop who also finished third at the 2018 Half Marathon defeated former world junior 3,000m champion Alice Timbilil and former world half marathon bronze medalist Sally Chepyego.
Top Ten Womens’ category [21 KM]
- 1. Cynthia Jerop-71:30
- 2. Celestine Jepchirchir-72:67
- 3. Joyce Chepchirchir-73:57
- 4. Sharon Jelimo-73:36
- 5. Sally Chepyego-73:50
- 6. Josephine Jepkoech-74:28
Money raised from Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon will support GREATER KAPTAGAT GREEN ASSOCIATION (GreKGA) conservation-based enterprises, ecotourism promotion and sports talent development. The 2018/2019 activity is mainly the establishment youth-managed tree nurseries. Cypress, pine, bamboo and indigenous tree nurseries will be set up throughout the year. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) will provide the technical advice. A limited amount of funds raised will be awarded for nurturing sporting talents.
