This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On a warm day in Mogotio, Kenya, the third edition of the Kabarak University Half Marathon took place, with Japan-based Leonard Barsoton and Vallery Jemeli of Iten emerging as the winners.
Barsoton clocked a time of 1 hour 5 minutes 26 seconds to win the men's 21km, while Jemeli took the women's title in 1 hour 15 minutes 10 seconds.
However, the two top runners will have to wait for two weeks to be given a clean bill of health by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) before they receive their prize money of Sh150,000 each, according to Kabarak University Vice-Chancellor Professor Henry Kiplangat.
Coming second in the women's 21km was Lydiah Njeri, who timed 1 hour 17 minutes 4 seconds, ahead of Lydiah Simiyu in 1 hour 18 minutes 1 second.
Barsoton, who had recovered from an Achilles' injury, completed the first 15km in a pack of athletes before he slowly and steadily started to engage a faster gear and sprinted at the 19km mark, never looking back until he reached the tape.
Barsoton's winning time was slower than Abraham Kiptum's course record of 1 hour 3 minutes 2 seconds set last year, although Kiptum did not defend the title yesterday.
Barsoton's next focus is the Valencia Half Marathon in Italy on October 27, before he embarks on the Tokyo Marathon in Japan on March 7 next year.
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