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Philip Kigen and Mercy Kwambai are the new winners of the 24th Edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon which was held today at the Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo County.
Kigen posted 2:19:06 time to win the men 42km race ahead of John Mitei (02:21:23) and Isaak Koech (02:22:37) who settled in second and third positions respectively.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, Kigen was over the moon for the win, saying it has motivated him a lot ahead of other major races he is planning to compete.
“The course was very tough considering that the former defending champion Peter Wahome was also trying to defend his title. The only challenges I have faced in the race was the hilly course and few snakes which I had to escape them, but everything else was nice.
“The win has motivated me ahead of other marathon I have planned to take part this year. I dedicate this win to my wife and two kids who have been so supportive in my success,” noted Kigen.
Women 42 kilometer winner Mercy Kwambai was happy for the win promising to do better next time.
“The race was a tough one I can say due to the hilly course but I am happy that I have managed to be the winner. After I was done with 10km that’s the point I felt like I can lose the race because I was a bit tired but I motivated myself to finish it and I’m here now smiling. Last year I did 21 kilometers whereby I didn’t win and after talking to my coach, I decided to do the full marathon this year.
“I dedicate the win to my little daughter. She always gives me hope to continue working hard and I would like also to be an athlete like her mother in future.”
In the 21 kilometers, Nelson Rono (01:05:32) emerged victorious ahead of Justin Julius (01:06:28) and (01:06:57) who settled for the second and third positions respectively.
In women category Beatrice Cheburet (01:16:15) carried the day with Lucy Karimi) and Mary Munanu (01:17:30 settling for the second and third in that order.
The Safarciom Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Ndegwa who also participated in the 21km race hailed the winners.
“The race was good and I think the weather was fantastic. Next year we will be celebrating 25 years of partnership with the Lewa Safari Marathon and we shall continue with the partnership so that we can preserve and conserve the environment to support the local community. Almost nine million dollars have been raise for the past 24 years to support the course and I want to thank the Lewa conservancy for the good job,” stated Ndegwa.
Chief Operations and planning officer at the Lewa Conservancy John Kinoti also thanked the participants as he hopes to meet their target of raising KSh. 50 Million.
“This has turned up to be a great event, we are very happy. The event begun very well, we had Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza who flagged off the event and the runners have come in numbers and the weather is very conducive.
“I am thanking our sponsors for the support they have accorded us and we call upon other sponsors to join us in making the event success next year. We have witnessed almost 1,200 runners and over 5000 spectators and that’s very appealing.”
The main race winners in each gender were awarded KSh. 150,000 and a Huawei Phone while first and second runners up went home with KSh. 80,000 and KSh.60,000 with a Huawei phone each respectively. BY CITIZEN DIGITAL