Kenyans sweep honors

Sunday Full Marathon (42km) Men1 Paul Kosjei (KEN) 2:14:562 Eliud Magut (KEN) 2:16:303 Willy Korir (KEN) 2:17:274 Peter Mutitu (KEN) 2:17:375 Alered Kipsane (KEN) 2:17:4011 Frederic Habimana (RWA) 2:21:08 Women1 Lilian Chelimo (KEN) 2:48:172 Penina Sawe (KEN) 2:49:443 Joan Fabiora (TAN) 2:50:194 Rosina Kiboino (KEN) 2:51:095 Emily Jemuta (KEN) 2:51:27Half Marathon (21km) Men1 Luban Kipkembui (KEN) 1:03:072 Edwin Kibet (KEN) 1:03:093 Robert Kajuga (RWA) 1:03:114 Hilary Kirchumba (KEN) 1:03:205 Ruto Kipkoech (KEN) 1:03:45 Women1 Pamela Chesopich (KEN) 1:13:002 Alice Jepkemboi (KEN) 1:13:233 Ecler Chelimo (KEN) 1:14:474 Amie Niyhyirembere (RWA) 1:14:515 Pamela Chepkoch (KEN) 1:16:04It was simply a Kenyan affair in the eighth edition of the Kigali International Peace marathon after they extended their dominance in the full and half marathon races yesterday.Paul Kosjei led a 1-2-3 finish in the 42km race after clocking two hours,14 minutes and 56 seconds to take the grand prize of USD 2500 (Rwf1.4m). Eliud Magut and Willy Korir finished in second and third places respectively.Frederic Habimana was Rwanda’s best performer coming in 11th position after using 2 hours, 21 minutes and 8 seconds. The 32-year old was given USD 600 (Rwf 358,000) for being the best Rwandan in the full marathon.Lilian Chelimo and Penina Sawe took gold and silver in the women’s full marathon fray while Tanzania’s Joan Fabiora came in 3rd place. No Rwandan was in the top 11.Despite training in Kenya for three months, Robert Kajuga slipped to 3rd place after finishing second last year. The 27 year old told Times Sport that he has been carrying a minor leg injury which he failed to shake off before the race.“I got injured recently doing gym work and did not return to full fitness. As I was running, it got worse and slowed me down which resulted in losing valuable seconds,” said the Sec academy runner, who is yet to get the minimum qualification for the London Olympics Games.In the women’s category, Kenya again dominated the podium places as Pamela Chesopich, Alice Jepkemboi and Ecler Chelimo took 1, 2 and 3rd places respectively.Amie Nishyirembere finished 4th using 1 hour, 14 minutes and 51 seconds while Claudette Mukasakindi came in eighth position. Over 931 athletes took part in the competition which included four categories-Full Marathon, Half Marathon; 5km run for fun and Relays. For the first time in years, the organisation of the marathon was smooth and was graced by government officials led by the Minister of Sports and Culture Protais Mitali, representatives of corporate bodies, NGOs and ordinary people.