The 2011 African junior cross country silver medalist Kenya’ s Patrick Mwaka won the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon IAAF Silver Label Road Race in Japan on Sunday.
The Kenyan has competed at the past four editions of the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon, finishing third, sixth, fourth and fifth respectively between 2012 and 2015 but this year, Mwaka produced a personal best of 1:01:51 to edge out compatriot Paul Kuira.
Nearing the finish line, Mwaka surged away from Kuira in a sprint finish to win by three seconds in 1:01:51.
The 2008 world half marathon championships fifth place finisher Yusei Nakao, was the top Japanese finisher in 10th place by clocking 1:03:38 to finish one second ahead of compatriot Yuki Kawauchi.
Meanwhile, Eunice Kirwa set a course record and successfully defended her title at the IAAF Silver Label Road Race.
Kirwa world marathon bronze medalist took 42 seconds off the course record of 1:08:55 she set last year to achieve her fifth consecutive victory in Japan.
Betelhem Moges, line to finish second in 1:11:09 after moving into third place before 15km, after she caught Kenya’s Rebecca Chesir just before the finish line to finish second.
Chesir finished in third place but was credited with the same time as Moges.
Paris Marathon champion Kenya’s Visiline Jepkesho, the 2014 Gifu Seiryu champion, was fourth in 1:11:33, while the 2012 Africa 5000m silver medalist Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru finished fifth in a best of 1:11:59.
Results
Men
1 Patrick Mwaka (KEN) 1:01:51
2 Paul Kuira (KEN) 1:01:54
3 Martin Mathati (KEN) 1:02:12
4 Kenneth Keter (KEN) 1:02:26
5 Michael Gitahe (KEN) 1:02:52
6 James Rungaru (KEN) 1:03:04
7 Fabiano Joseph (TAN) 1:03:29
8 Dishon Maina Karukuwa (KEN) 1:03:35
9 Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (MGL) 1:03:37
10 Yusei Nakao (JPN) 1:03:38
11 Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) 1:03:39
Women
1 Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa (BRN) 1:08:55
2 Betelhem Moges (ETH) 1:11:09
3 Rebecca Kangogo Chesir (KEN) 1:11:09
4 Visiline Jepkesho (KEN) 1:11:33
5 Veronicah Nyaruai Wanjiru (KEN) 1:11:59
6 Kayoko Fukushi (JPN) 1:12:04
7 Yuka Ando (JPN) 1:12:07
8 Mao Kiyota 1:12:20
9 Bornes Jepkirui (KEN) 1:12:40
10 Sayo Nomura (JPN) 1:13:10
