Eldoret:Cornelius Kipkosgei Konor and Betty Jelangat emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s 10-kilometre races during the inaugural Absa City Run, Eldoret Edition held on Sunday.
According to Kenya News Agency, Konor won the men’s category after clocking 3027.4 in a closely contested race, beating David Korichei, who finished second in 3034.8, while Mark Kipkoech settled for third position in 3036.5. The race attracted athletes from across the region and started and ended at Absa Bank’s Eldoret Branch, taking participants through various streets in Eldoret.
Speaking after the race, Konor mentioned experiencing difficulties during the opening lap but gained confidence towards the final stages, realizing that his body was responding well. He increased his pace and sprinted towards the finish line to secure the victory. Konor also noted that he was using the competition to prepare for the forthcoming Chepsaita Cross Country.
In the women’s category, Jelangat emerged the winner in 3443.7, narrowly beating Leah Jekwemoi, who clocked 3449.5, while Sharon Kiptugen finished third in 3550.4. Jelangat revealed that she was battling a nerve injury but was delighted with her victory, having approached the race without pressure. She plans to recover from her injury before consulting her coach on future competitions.
The event also included 5km and 3km fun run categories, attracting schoolchildren, families, corporate teams, community groups, and fitness enthusiasts. Absa Bank Kenya Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Mwihaki Wachira stated that the race was organized to celebrate the Bank’s 100-year presence in Eldoret, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen community relationships.
Uasin Gishu County Chief Officer for Youth Affairs, Sports, ICT and Innovation, Robert Kemei, commended the Bank for supporting athletics and providing competitive platforms for athletes. He noted that such events contribute to the growth of Kenya’s athletics sector and encourage healthy lifestyles and community cohesion. The Absa City Run was part of the Bank’s centenary celebrations in Kenya, marking 100 years of operations and concluded a week-long programme of activities across Uasin Gishu County.
