Kenyans once again put their prowess on the tracks in full display for the world after securing victories in both the men’s and women’s event in one of the most unique races in the world on Sunday, November 17.
At least seven Kenyans registered podium finishes at the one and only edition of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Three-Runway System 10km International Race.
As the name suggests, the race had a unique spin to it as it took place at the newly expanded Hong Kong International Airport.
Despite the race’s unique setting, it did not deter Kenyans, who beat hundreds of other participants to emerge top.
Kenyan runner Loice Chemnung during a past race. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
Kenya’s Loice Chemnung comfortably scooped first place in the women’s race with a time of 30:24. Janeth Chepngetich took second, coming in 29 seconds after her Kenyan counterpart with a time of 30:55 .
The top five in the women’s category was dominated by all Kenyans, with Lilian Kasait , Judy Kemboi and Miriam Chebet.
Chemnung’s latest victory came just weeks after she put her name in the record books after a stellar performance during the third edition of the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon.
In October, the 27-year-old broke the course record by clocking an impressive time of 1:07:27 – a performance which left a massive four minutes between herself and the second-place finisher, Mao Kiyota of Japan.
Despite Chemnung’s win, there was no record broken this time as the late Agnes Tirop’s record of 30:01, which she set in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 2021, remained intact.
In the men’s category, Kenyans were also dominant, with the top two placings going to Samwel Mailu who completed the race in 27:29 and Vincent Langat, who ended the race one second behind with a time of 28:00.
Daniel Kinyanjui, who has raced in the 3000m and 5000m before transitioning to 10-kilometre races, ended the race in fifth with a time of 28:38.
Prize money: The Hong Kong 10-km race has a decent pool of cash prizes, with men and women enjoying equal rewards.
For their heroics, Chemnung and Mailu scored KSh 8,443,129 (USD 65,000) each, while second-placed finishers walked away with KSh 3,896,829 (USD 30,000). Runners who finished in third place got KSh 1.9 million (USD 15,000).
All top 10 finishers were entitled to prize money, with fourth to tenth place set to receive KSh 1.3 million, KSh 780,000, KSh 390,000, KSh 260,000, KSh 207,000, KSh 156,000 and KSh 130,000 respectively.
With this figures in mind, the seven Kenyans are set to receive a collective KSh 29.4 million (USD 227,000).
Samwel Mwailu during a past race. PHOTO/ Samwel Mwailu.
