Kiptum, Chepngeno win inaugural Tenwek half marathon races

Former half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum is the winner of the inaugural AGC Tenwek Hospital men's half marathon.

Kiptum weathered stiff competition to win the race that was held in Bomet county on Saturday morning.

The race is dubbed 'hearts in motion'. 

Kiptum, from Nandi County, trounced 200 athletes, to win the 21km race in 1:03.43.

Wesley Yego of Nakuru came second with a time of 1:03.49 while Brian Kipyegon was in third position after clocking 1:04.02.

Shadrack Korir of Nakuru(1:05.18) was in fourth position as Collins Rono(1:05.27) locked the first five positions.

Kiptum lauded the race organisers for organizing the event, saying the initiative will assist needy patients.

“It was a well-organized race and lived to its billing,"  he said at the finishing line.

In the women's category, former Boston Half Marathon runner's up Viola Chepngeno won the 21km race at a time of 1:14.08.

Chepngeno, who hails from Nakuru, was ahead of Cynthia Jemutai of Elgeyo Marakwet County who clocked 1:16.56 and Lilian Jebitok from Kericho who stopped the watch at 1:17.00.

Caroline Chepkwony of Kericho was fourth after ending the race in 1:17.10 while Faith Chepkoech of Bomet was fifth after returning at 1:17.13.

Chepngeno said that she used the race to gauge her performance after having an injury which made her out of competitive racing.

Hospital Acting CEO Benjamin Siele said the event was meant to raise Sh100 million to support needy patients with heart problems.