Kenyans surge to top in World 10k run

Bengaluru: The Kenyan duo of Alex Oloitiptip Korio and Irene Cheptai ended the Ethiopian dominance at the TCS World 10K Run Bangalore as they took home the top prize here on Sunday.

Korio crossed the finish line in 28:12 seconds to clinch the men’s title ahead of Edwin Kiptoo (28:26s) and Stephen Kissa (28:28s). Meanwhile, Cheptai clocked 31:51 seconds, the second best time in the 10-year history of the event, to bag the women’s crown with Worknesh Degefa (32:00s) and Helah Kiprop (32:02s) completing the podium. The winners took home a cheque for $26,000.

The overcast sky that greeted the city proved a blessing as the sun failed to pierce through the cloud cover, helping quell any fears of heat owing to the late start in the men’s race.

It started as expected with defending champion Mosinet Geremew leading the pack alongside Korio, Zane Robertson, Kiptoo and pace setter Kissa. With the clock reading 14:06 seconds at the halfway mark, Korio picked up pace slowly and opened up a strong lead by the 7km mark. Pre-race favourites Robertson and Geremew failed to keep up with the leading pack and fell back, leaving the three front runners to fight it out.

There was no challenge as far as the 2013 champion was concerned as he zoomed to the finish line with authority. It was the second spot that saw some fervent action as Kissa, who chose to make a dash to the finish line after setting the initial pace, was overtaken at the final turn by Kiptoo to snatch the second spot.

“At six kilometres I realised that others were struggling so I went ahead. Today’s weather was also better than the last time. I realised that I could push and be on the podium,” said Korio.

However, it was Kissa who provided the moment of levity on the day.

“They told me you are setting the pace. I thought I’d stop after four kilometres but I thought it was good money so I continued. I didn’t expect to be on the podium,” he revealed.

Similar pattern in women’s race
The women’s event followed the same pattern with the latter half of the race, assisted by the slight downhill terrain, being the quicker one. Degefa pushed right from the start as she set the pace with Cheptai, Gladys Chesir, Madelyne Masai all following. Crossing the halfway mark at 16:14 seconds Masai soon fell back followed by Chesir setting the stage for Cheptai, the world cross country champion, to power her way through to the finish and almost rewrite the meet record.

“I was a bit sick today but I thank God for the run. I wasn’t expecting to win so I’m very happy,” said the Kenyan who missed the record by three seconds.

“After five kilometres, I felt I can maybe break the record. So I pushed after seven because I saw my colleagues drop. At the 8km-mark I was alone and I knew I was going to win,” she added.

Results:
Overall Elite Men: 1. Alex Korio (KEN) 28:12s; 2. Edwin Kiptoo (KEN) 28:26s; 3. Stephen Kissa (UGA) 28:28s; 4. Mule Wasihun (ETH) 28:34s; 5. Birhanu Legese (ETH) 28:36s.

Overall Elite Women: 1. Irene Cheptai (KEN) 31:51s; 2. Worknesh Degefa (ETH) 32:00s; 3. Helah Kiprop (KEN) 32:02s; 4. Gladys Chesir (KEN) 32:11s; 5. Magdalyne Masai (KEN) 32:37s.

Indian Men: 1. Naveen Kumar (Overall 14) 30:56s; 2. Sandeep Tayade 31:02s; 3. Shankar Man Thapa 31:07s; 4. Anil Pawar 31:12s; 5. Indrajeet Patel 31:33s.

Indian Women: 1. Saigeetha Naik (Overall 11) 36:01s; 2. Kiran Sahdev 36:30s; 3. Preenu Yadav 36:46s; 4. Jyoti Chouhan 37:12s; 5. Monika Raut 37:30s.