This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
On a favorable day in Nairobi, Iten-based athletes Daniel Simiyu and Lydia Njeri made their mark in the inaugural Ushirika Charity road race held on July 1, 2019. The event, organized by the Cooperative Alliance of Kenya (CAK), aimed to promote basic education in the country by supporting needy students.
Simiyu, who had previously won the Sotokoto road race two weeks prior, took control of the race with 4km to go and secured the top spot with a time of 25:10.9, earning him Sh100,000. Edwin Kipkemboi finished second with a time of 25:34.1, while Emmanuel Kipchirchir settled for third place with a time of 25:36.1.
Lydia Njeri, a pacemaker at the 2019 London Marathon, comfortably won the 9km women's race in 28:55.7. She was followed closely by Judith Cherono, who finished third with a time of 29:13.5.
Simiyu expressed his gratitude for the win, stating, "The weather was good and favourable. The lineup had good runners, fortunately, I knew most of them and their capabilities, so I took advantage of knowing them to beat them. Two weeks ago I won Sotokoto 10km. To follow that victory with another win makes me feel great. I hope with these victories I will able to secure a manager, who will help me get good races abroad soon."
Njeri also shared her thoughts on the event, saying, "Coming here I knew I was in good shape and I was sure of getting onto the podium. I was also using the event as part of preparation for upcoming road races."
