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Rono triumphs in Kenya's First Lady Half marathon

Xinhua, March 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

On the occasion of the International Women's Day, Hamburg marathon champion Georgina Rono won the First Lady Half Marathon in Nairobi on Sunday.

Moses Kosgei, a relatively new athlete on the block, beat two-time World Marathon champion Abel Kirui and former New York marathon eighth finisher Mathew Kisorio to win the men's race in one hour one minute and 28 seconds.

Rono, 35, dominated the race in 1:04:05 ahead of compatriot Mercy Kibarus (1:08.13).

However, former Boston Marathon champion Caroline Kilel (1:08:23) had to eat a humble pie and take the bronze medal ahead of Mercy Chemutai (1:08:42) in fourth.

"It is not easy to win in Nairobi. There is always the aspect of a new challenger emerging from the fringes to claim the glory. But I opted to dominate and control the race in front, that way, there is no surprise ambush from the other runners," she said.

Former Olympic Youth 3,000m champion Gladys Chesir (30:35.0) won the women's 10km race ahead of Anne Wanjiru (30:40.0).

The half marathon, a charity event for the country's First lady Margaret Kenyatta, is aimed at raising funds towards "The Beyond Zero Campaign", a charity event that seeks to reduce child mortality at birth in the country.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto were among the thousands of spectators who came to support the initiative. Endi