Gitonga, Bor win Meru Mountain Racing titles

Gitonga, Bor win Meru Mountain Racing titles

Purity Gitonga edged three-time world champion Lucy Murigi to clinch the Women’s 12km mountain race championship title held at the footsteps of Mt Kenya in Meru County.

Emanuel Bor from Nandi County won the men’s category to join Gitonga as the first ever winners of the inaugural race with each bagging Sh500,000 prize money.

Gitonga clocked 53:13:64 for her victory after braving the muddy and slippery tracks of Mt Kenya with Murigi (53:32:04) and Esther Waweru (54:25:03) finishing second and third respectively.

“The race was great. I had trained so hard for the past one week just to acclimatise with the weather up here. I was ready and am so happy to have won. This was some good preparation for my upcoming races,” a jubilant Gitonga said post-race.

Bor clocked 46:20 to hold off Martin Magu who was a close second in 46:36:02 while Dennis Kemboi of Trans Nzoia County rounded off the top three places after closing the tape at 46:48:05.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after the duel, Bor reflected on the tough challenge experienced on the new track while lauding the organizers for the opportunity presented to the athletes.

“The race was tough with lots of challenges. It’s so hilly and muddy and I had to be extra keen to navigate the mountain track and win. Am so excited.”

The winners in the 12km race for both men and women pocketed Ksh 500,000, while the second and third-placed took home Ksh 250,000 and Ksh 100,000 respectively.

Other winners in different categories included;

8km Men Winners:

  1. Kelvin Kariuki – 33:32:31
  2. Misheck Lochomoi – 33:46:57
  3. Fredrick Ngoyoni – 37:35:41

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meru county Mountain Racing

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