Kenyans Rule At This Year’s Jakarta 10K

Participants of Jakarta 10K. (Photo Courtesy of Jakarta 10K Organizers)

Kenyan runners ruled the podium at the Jakarta International 10K, an annual road race that this year marked the capital’s 487th anniversary, on Sunday.

Silas Kipruto outclassed other runners as he conquered the 10 kilometer route, which started and finished at the National Monument in Central Jakarta, in a record time of 28 minutes and 52 seconds in the men’s overall elite category.

He takes home $5,500 in prize money.

His fellow countrymen Titus Kwemoi Masai and Charles Wachira Maina finished second and third after posting times of 29:01 and 29:12 respectively.

Frank Andre of Germany followed in  fourth place and Japan’s Keisuke Nakatani was fifth.

The Kenyans did not spare any space on the podium in the women’s race either, which saw Esther Chemtai Ndiema finish first in a record time of 32:28.

Fellow countrywomen Sharon Jemutai Cherop and Violah Jepchumba followed in the second and third after booking times of 32:41 and 32:46 respectively.

Another Kenyan, Maryanne Wangari Wanjiru, finished fourth followed by Zakia Mohamed of Tanzania in fifth.

In the national men’s elite race, the long-distance specialist Agus Prayogo regained the title after he missed out in the 2012 and 2013 editions, booking a time of 31:08. The record,however, is still far from his personal best of 30:37.

“But it’s good enough as a part of my preparations for next year’s Southeast Asia Games in Singapore. The race is part of my preparation for the Games,” the winner of multiple medals said.
Finishing in second and third place were his national training camp teammates M. Ridwan and defending champion Jauhari Johan, who posted times of 31:52 and 32:00 respectively.

Indonesia’s Rini Budiarti was the fastest in the national women’s event with a record of 35:01, surpassing a personal best of 36:24.

“I’m so happy with my achievement. I present my victory to mark the anniversary of the city,” said the athlete who undergoes intensive preparation for this year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea

By Jakarta Globe on 06:56 pm Jun 08, 2014