Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo wins Run Your City 10km
Commonwealth silver medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo of Kenya won the inaugural Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10km series in a time of 27 minutes, 21 seconds yesterday.
Precious Mashele of SA came second and ran 27.35 to break the South African 10km record.
His countryman Thabang Mosiako finished in 27:52 to take third place.
Gqeberha kicked off the five-leg series of 10km races, with Cape Town next on May 14.
Durban will host the third race on July 9 and Tshwane the fourth on August 27, with the final leg in Johannesburg on September 24.
Though pleased with Sunday’s result, the 21-year-old Kenyan said he was disappointed to have missed the SA all-comers record.
The present all-comers record stands at 27:16, set by Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda in Durban in 2018.
“I am not happy because I came to run a personal best but maybe by the end of the year, I would have run many personal bests; plus representing Kenya for the World Champs would be amazing for me,” Ebenyo said.
The runner broke away early from the pack and took the lead from the halfway mark to the finish line.
“Running alone is very difficult and my pacemaker was not strong so maybe next time I need a good pacemaker.
“I was targeting the all-comers record but I am happy with the results. Maybe next time I’ll do better. The course was good, I can’t complain.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Nedbank athlete Ethiopian Bekelech Teku Wariyo came from behind in the last stretch to win, taking victory with a world-class time of 31:36.
The second finisher was Fridah Ndinda of Kenya in 31:41.
Docus Ajoka from Uganda came in third in a time of 32:15.
The first SA woman to cross the line was Glenrose Xaba, coming in at a time of 32.23.
Teku, 19, said: “I am very pleased and happy that I participated in the race.
“The weather was a bit of a challenge for me, but I was able to cope with it.
“I am happy with my performance and finishing time, but I could have done better if not for the weather .”