Iten-based runner Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir from Kapsabet are the new champions of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. Chepkwony bounced back from a two-year doping ban to claim his maiden victory in the race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and one second.
Chepkwony attacked the course from the word go and stayed with the leading pack of seven athletes till the 25th kilometre mark when he surged clear in the race, which was mostly run along the Southern Bypass in Nairobi. With seven kilometres to go, the leading pack reduced from seven athletes to five. He was unchallenged when he returned to the finish.
Chekwony, who completed his ban in February this year, finished ahead of Alex Chepkwik Saekwo from Iten, who timed 2:11:26 for second place, followed by 2022 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon champion Ezekiel Kemboi Omullo, who clocked 2:11:40 for third place. “Being banned has been a big lesson to me and fellow athletes. We must be careful with the medication we take,” Chepkwony said.
