Ekiru bags Kenya’s fifth gold medal at African Games

Gilbert Kiprotich in Rabat, Morocco

Titus Ekiru captured Kenya’s fifth gold at the African Games after racing to victory in the men’s half marathon held Friday morning here in Rabat, Morocco.

Ekiru – the Milano City marathon champion – finished the inaugural 21km race in 1:01:42 ahead of Moroccan duo of Reda Elaaraby (1:02:44) and Hamza Sahli (1:02:45) who took silver and bronze respectively.

Other Kenyans in the race, Morris Munene clocked 1:02:51 to finish fourth as Panuel Mkungo placed fifth in 1:03:10.

The athlete who hails from Kapsabet revealed that it was tough competing in Morocco with the high temperatures he experienced but was happy to win his maiden African Games title.

“I pulled away at the 10km and I realised nobody was trailing me closely that is when I made my mind to go for gold although it was very hot,” Ekiru said.

In the women’s race also held concurrently with the men’s race, Ethiopia swept the podium with Yalemzerf Densa (1:10:26), Degitu Asires (1:10:31) and Meseret Tola (1:12:08) clinching gold, silver and bronze respectively.

Kenya’s Hellen Jepkurgat clocked 1:12:29 to finish fifth with her compatriot Grace Kimanzi coming home sixth in 1:13:16 while another Kenyan did not finish the race.

Jepkurgat said she was challenged by the tough course and high humidity in the Moroccan capital but will take positives ahead of the upcoming Toronto Marathon slated for October 20.

“The course was good until 8k when it started to be sloppy and at 12k the Ethiopians pulled away from us and although I tried to catch up with them it was not possible,” said Jepkurgat.

Japan-based Kimanzi also reiterated that the course was a bit challenging which made her slow down at the 15k point.

“It was a tough race because of the hilly course, I was aiming for a much better performance but it was difficult,” said Kimanzi.