Eliud Magut celebrates after winning Nairobi City Marathon. [Stafford Ondego,Standard]
After battling injuries this season, Eliud Magut is grateful that he has finally gotten his athletics groove back.
The 2012 Cannes Marathon champion cruised to the tape in 2:09:47 to triumph in the third edition of the Nairobi City Marathon held at the Kenyan capital on Sunday.
At the same time, Cynthia Jerotich Limo clocked 2:28:02 to win the women's title in the high level event that attracted about 15000 participants from over 40 countries. The champions each walked home Sh3.5 million richer.
"I'm going to sit down with financial experts to help me invest this money," Magut said after the victory.
This was the first race Magut was taking part in this year. The 2016 Metz Marathon champion has not had a splendid season this year after winning a race in Butere last December.
"I have had so many challenges in athletics in 2024, so this win is like my redemption, I'm now fired to go for better contests abroad," the 38-year-old father of four said.
"I won today because I prepared well, I was not burnt out before the race. I can't believe I floored everyone in this competition that had such a sea of humanity," he said.
Magut now plans to return to training immediately at his base in Kaptagat to get ready for other competitions that are being lined up by his manager.
Josephat Kipkoech Bett ( 2:10:01), who emerged men's marathon runners up, said he was happy that his mission, which was to finish in the top ten, materialised. The Keringet-based athlete pledged to return bigger and better next season to go for the jugular.
When asked how she feels to be the new women's marathon champion, Limo said: "I am so happy. This is actually the third marathon I'm taking part in -in my career.
"I prepared so well for this race, and everything went as planned, it was my hope to win and I'm glad I have the gold medal with me."
And how is she going to utilise the millions of shillings that she won in the race?
"I have a grand project at home in Iten, so I'm going to complete building the house. I want to give my family a roof over their heads," Limo said.
The 33-year old mother of three now has her sights sets on the 2024 Honolulu Marathon in the USA whose trophy she is targeting to have under her belt.
"I'm headed for extensive training in Iten before I depart for the US, basically, my intention is to improve on speed and endurance before I go to Honolulu," Limo said.
Apart from the marathon, other categories contested included the 21km, 10km and 6km races, in both men and women categories.
Second and third place finishers in the marathons smiled to the bank with Sh2.5 million and Sh1.5 million cheques.
The awards were trickled down up to top the 20th finishers.
China led in the registration process for the races with 155 runners, United Kingdom (130), USA (75) and Tanzania (56).
Bronze sponsors Otrovato, an online business to business platform, were happy with the event stating it had great energy flow that united the participants from across the world.
"The races were exciting, the event was memorable, the marathon was all in line with our sponsorship mission which is health in wealth," David Nganga, Otrovato East Africa Business Development Manager, said.