Philemon Baaru, Fridah Lodepa win Lewa Marathon titles
What you need to know:
- Baaru, who last won the race in 2014 to make it three wins in a row, finished more than two minutes slower than last year’s winner Elijah Mbogo (2:20.18).
- Lodepa, 35, also braved the treacherous course, clocking 2:48.22 to claim her fourth successive tittle.
Philemon Baaru and Fridah Lodepa on Saturday won the Safaricom Lewa Marathon titles at the Lewa Conservancy.
Four-time champion Baaru, who missed last year’s edition due to a knee injury, returned with a bang to triumph in a time of 2 hours 22:42 minutes ahead of Paul Maina (2:24.23) and Sammy Kurgat (2:24.23) who finished in second and third places in the 17th edition of the race.
Baaru, who last won the race in 2014 to make it three wins in a row, finished more than two minutes slower than last year’s winner Elijah Mbogo (2:20.18).
He ran from behind before breaking to the front of the pack after 7km and took charge up to the finish-line for his fourth title in the scorching sun.
“The disappointment of missing last year’s event made me come back stronger in this year’s race and despite the tricky course, I was able to clinch the win,” an elated Baaru told Sunday Nation Sport.
Lodepa, 35, also braved the treacherous course, clocking 2:48.22 to claim her fourth successive tittle.
“I think I have mastered the course well and it is always a nice feeling winning here. I did however have to dig deep because the competition was stiff,” Lodepa said.
The 2009 Kuala Lumpur Marathon winner has now set her sights on claiming another title in August.
Mary Ndengo (2:48.46) and Risper Lagat (2:52.35) finished second and third respectively.
Peter Wambua, running his first half marathon, won the 21km race ahead of Douglas Chebii and last year’s winner Robert Wambua.
London Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge finished fourth in the race as he continues with his preparations for the Rio Olympics.
“It was a nice race and I think I am now over 50 percent ready for the Games. I think we have a good marathon team that can sweep all the medals in Rio,” Kipchoge said.
The 31-year-old will lead Kenya’s hunt for a second gold in the Olympics after the late Samuel Wanjiru won the country its maiden gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Pauline Wanjiku, who finished third last year, won the women’s 21km race ahead of Emma Muthoni and Nancy Katheka.
The race has raised approximately Sh450 million over the years which has been used to set up development activities for communities living around the conservancy in Isiolo, Meru and Laikipia counties.
