The 2024 World Aids Day Half Marathon: Korir, Chemweno Are Champions

_{Bib numbers used in this year’s World Aids Day Half Marathon held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

NAIROBI, Kenya- Jonathan Korir and Viola Chemweno are the winners of the inaugural 2024 World Aids Day Half Marathon held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.

Korir clocked 1:02.48 to win the men’s category as Chemususu Dam Half Marathon champion Wisley Kipkemoi came second in 1:02.49 while Eric Kiplangat completed the podium finish in 1:02.52.

“This is the first race I’m winning in Kenya in my career. I have only been coming so close in many competitions. Today I’m happy to have finally put a gold medal on my neck,” noted Korir who hails from Baringo but trains in Ngong.

“Today’s race was very challenging as the opponents were tough, but I held on to the tape,” said Korir who is looking forward to taking part in the Casablanca Marathon in Morocco on December 19.

Kipkemoi too was using the contest to prepare for Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Weekend Meet set for Ol Kalou on December 14. Kaptagat based Kiplangat used the competition to close his 2024 season.

“I felt a bit tired during the run. I guess its fatigue which is as result of my participation in the Inten International Marathon last week where I came second in the men’s 10km race,” explained Kiplangat.

Impressive Chemweno had a double victory at the weekend, lifting the inaugural World Aids Day Half Marathon just hours after triumphing at the fourth AK Bomet Cross-Country Weekend Meet.

“I just can’t believe how the weekend has unfolded for me; I think I was able to win all the races because of the good training I had in Keringet. I will definitely return here (Nairobi) to defend this title,” 22-year-old Chemweno remarked.

Jeska Chelangat (1:11.10), also from Keringet, had tried to give Chemweno a run for her money but the heat that was cranked by the champion was too heavy to bear.

“The race was very tough but I’m grateful for the second-place finish, it’s surprising that I was able to settle for the podium despite coming from the off-season break,” underscored Chelangat who recently finished seventh at the Valencia Half Marathon in Italy.

Caroline Wanjira (1:02.1) and Dennis Ndungu (45:48.3) were the men and women’s 10km wheelchair races champions.

Wanjira, a former African Paralympics 1500m champion noted: ” I want to appreciate the World Aids Day Half Marathon organisers for being inclusive in their event. Not so many championships accommodate special people like the disabled. Personally, I feel the race was easy and full of fun as I prepared well. I will come back here to defend my medal next season.”

Other categories contested were the 5km Family Fun Run and the Corporate Challenge and the 2km CEO’s Race and the Children’s Race.

The 21km winners, both men and women, each went home Sh 250,000 richer while Sh 200,000 and Sh100,000 was reserved for runners up and third place finishers.

The category was rewarded upto the tenth-place finisher. The theme of the event was health and wellness of men and boys. The marathon proceeds will be used to rehabilitate drug users across the country.

Selected results 

21km men

1.Jonathan Korir 1:02.48

2.Wisley Kipkemoi 1:02.49

3.Eric Kiplangat 1:02.52

4.Kenneth Lagat 1:03.04

5.Leonard Lagat 1:03.10

6.Robert Ngeno 1:03.19

7.Paul Simotwo 1:03.37

8.Jimnah Kariuki 1:03.44

9.Nehemiah Kipyegon 1:03.46

10.Keyboih Oabdo 1:03.50

21km women

1.Viola Chemweno 1:10.4

2.Jeska Chelangat 1:11.10

3.Joyce Chepekemoi 1:13.5

4.Esther Chemtai 1:14.6

5.Mary Munanu 1:15.5

6.Daisilah Jerono 1:16.6

7.Pamela  Cherotich 1:17.6

8.Florence Nyaingiri 1:18.2

9.Diana Chumba 1:18.6

10.Beatrice Chepekemoi 1:19.4

PHOTOS/JONAH ONYANGO