Newly crowned Nairobi City Marathon champion Benson Tunyo Murkomen has said the handsome prize money that came with his victory will greatly change his life.
Murkomen, the 2023 San Sebastian Marathon champion, pocketed Sh3.5million after winning Sunday's race.
The 30-year-old rallied from way back to join the leading pack at the 25km mark, before dropping them with seven kilometres to go, to cross the finish line in two hours, 08 minutes and 35 seconds.
“Even though I had prepared well for the race, this is unbelievable... this is great news,” said Murkomen, who finished eighth during the 2023 edition of the Nairobi City Marathon.
He noted that winning the huge purse set aside for the winners of the race is a big bonus for him. On top of his priority list is constructing a house for his parents.
“I will now build a good house for my parents in Marakwet. A lot is going to change,” said Murkomen.
His victory in Nairobi follows a 19th place finish at Frankfurt Marathon last year and a 44th place finish at Sevilla Marathon also last year.
“I was behind at 25km and I decided to push to join the leading pack just before the 30km mark. I was still feeling strong and decided to take the decisive shot with seven kilometres to go,” he said about his winning tactics.
Kipchumba Kiyeng crosses the finish line to win the man's 21km race during the Nairobi City Marathon on July 6, 2025 at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The new champion, a father of one, also said the chilly morning weather in Nairobi wasn’t a problem to him, having trained under similar conditions in Iten.
On his way to victory, Murkomen edged out the 2023 Lisbon Marathon bronze medallist Justus Limo to second place in 2:08:47 as Albert Kangogo settled for third in 2:09:06.
In the men’s 21km race, Evans Kiyeng clocked 1:01:22 to emerge victorious. In second and third places were Stephen Kimutai and Nahashon Kipsang who timed 1:01:24 and 1:01:32 respectively.
