Nairobi (Kenya), Nov 18 (IANS) Kenya’ s production line in long distance running continued to churn out new talent as unknown Thomas Kiplagat stole the limelight to clinch this years Kass Marathon race held in Eldoret town.
The women title went to an elite runner Alice Chelagat, who is also the Prague Half Marathon champion, Xinhua reported.
Kass Marathon was marking its seventh edition and form part of the planned Kenya’ s relay marathon series, which will incorporate the Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu road races.
“It is great that I have finally become a champion. The villagers have been mocking me saying that I could not get any title like my colleagues. It has been hard to come to the top, but I never gave up.
“I now want to focus on doing the same in other races away from Eldoret. I want to run in Asia, Europe or America,” said 26-year-old Kiplagat, Sunday in Eldoret.
It was the second marathon for Kiplagat, who made his debut about a month ago at the Kimbilio Marathon also in Eldoret, but could not withstand the gruelling pace and endurance as he dropped out.
By the 20-kilometre mark, Felix Kangogo and Benjamin Koech were in the front as they came near the Eldoret International Airport.
Kiplagat towed down the order in tenth place, but started gaining as he narrowed the gap with the leading pack of six athletes.
By the 35-kilometre mark, he had caught up with the leaders and went on to open a gap as he realised that he might actually win the race.
Kiplagat stopped the clock at 2:18:19 with Felix Kangogo coming in second at 2:19:03 ahead of Benjamin Koech (2:20:01).
In women’s race, Chelagat added another feather to her illustrious cap when she won in 2:40:0 beating Agnes Jepkosgei 2:43:16 while Gladys Rutto settled for the third place in 2:44:57.
Chelegat, is also the inaugural Nairobi Marathon champion back in 2003.
Chelagat led from the 10km mark as the rest of the girls made efforts to close her down without success.