Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo ran away with the top honors at the sixth edition of the CAPE TOWN 12K CITYRUN that was held on Sunday (21) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Simiu went to Cape Town with only one goal in mind, and that was to break the race course record of 33:27 that was set in 2017 by Morris Munene Gachaga from Kenya.
Simiu went with two pacemakers to help him break the Best time. The target was 32:20 which meant a pace of 2:42/km and splits of 13:13 and 27:00 for 5km and 10km respectively.
But while the wind put paid to any record attempt, it did not dampen Ebenyo’s desire for victory. As early as the 3km mark, Ebenyo had dropped his pacemakers, a field which included the defending champion, Morris Gachaga, SA 10km Champion, Precious Mashele and arguably the best road runner in South Africa at present, Stephen Mokoka.
3km was passed in 8:45 and Ebenyo went through 5km in 14:11, some 30 odd seconds ahead of a group that consisted of Mokoka, pacemakers, Meshack Kiptoo Lelgut, Mashele, Melikhaya Frans, Sibusiso Nzima and Collen Mulaudzi who all covered 5km in 14:40.
The 26 years-old who has never lost a 10km race in his career and who boasts a best time of 27:12 for the 10km distance, led a 1-2 Kenyan podium finish as he cut the tape in a time of 34:01.
“I am used to running alone,” Simiu said, “and was not concerned about having to race all alone. Not even the wind at the beginning was a problem for me.”
He was followed by Isaac Kipkemboi who was embroiled in in a battle with the Mokoka in the final 1km down but managed to give a powerful kick to cross the line in 34:42 with South Africa’s finest closing the first three podium finishes in 34:45.
Meshack Lelgut from Kenya and Anthony Timoteus from South Africa finished in fourth and fifth place in 34:57 and 35:06 respectively.
LEADING RESULTS
12KM MEN
- Daniel Simiu (KEN) 34:01
- Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN) 34:42
- Stephen Mokoka (SA) 34:45
- Meshack Lelgut (KEN) 34:57
- Anthony Timoteus (SA) 35:06
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