Bangalore: Kenyans Alex Oloitiptip and Gladys Cherono ran brave races in contrasting weather conditions to win the overall men’s and women’s titles of the Tata Consultancy World 10K Bangalore 2013, the World’s Premier 10K Run, which concluded at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, here, on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Oloitiptip, not among the pre-race favourites, but with a personal best of 27.52, took pole position early in the race and held off challenges from fellow Kenyan Nicholas Kipkemboi and Ethiopian youngster Brihanu Legese to win in 28.07 minutes. He was followed home by Kipkemboi in 28.12 and Legese in 28.16.
Current World Cross Country champion Japhet Korir, could not live up to pre-race expectations, finishing a disappointing 17th in 29.59, while another fancied Kenyan Moses Masai finished 10th in 29.05
The women’s race, run in relatively hotter conditions, saw Gladys Cherono winning in 32.03 minutes, 5 seconds outsode the course record of 31.58, set by Yimer Wude in 2010. Gladys was followed home by Ethiopian Guteni Shone in 32.10 and Kenyan Esther Chemtai in 32.14. Kenyan Helah Kiprop failed to defend her title, finishing seventh in 32.26, while course record holder Yimer Wude was 9th in 32.54.
The overall male and female winners took home USD 21,000 each, with the second and third-placed runners winning 15,000 USD and 9,000 USD each respectively.
Suresh K Patel and Sudha Singh emerged winners among the men and women in the Indian category, finishing overall 20th and 14th respectively.
Suresh Patel, employed with ONGC and based in Dehradun, clocked 30.34, way outside the Indian men’s course record of 29.59, and was followed home by V L Dangi in 30.53 and Mohd Yunus in 30.58.
The women’s race was won by the Railways athlete Sudha Singh in a start to finish effort in 35.25, while Preeja Sreedharan, making a comeback after a layoff, took second place in 36.01, followed by O P Jaisha in 36.31. defending champion Monika Athare had to be content with fourth place.
The Nation’s Challenge saw Uttar Pradesh, represented by Sudha Singh, Suresh Patel and Mohd Yunus emerge winners and take home a purse of Rs 4.5 lakhs, followed by Maharashtra and Kerala.
Though the late night showers on Saturday had cooled temperatures a bit, humidity was high and with the male athletes not willing to force the pace, the course record slipped out of reckoning after the 5km mark. It was a tight bunch that went through the 5km mark, with Oloitiptip, Kipkemboi and Legese in the lead group, followed closely by Mike Kigen, Philemon Rono and Tanzanian Dickson Marwa. The three leaders then broke free at around 8km and entered the stadium with just a few strides separating them.
Oloitiptip stepped on the pedal in the final 350 metres to surge ahead and breast the tape for a well deserved win.
Elaborating on his run, Oloitiptip said “It was fantastic win for me. I had faith in my ability and believed that I could win the run. The first 5 kilometers were difficult and the conditions were humid but the fact that I was strong and well prepared in mind and body helped me do well.”
The women’s race too was closely contested with Lucy Kabuu setting the early pace and leading the bunch comprising Gladys Cherono, Guteni Shone and Esther Chamtai. It was after around 9 kms the Kabuu’s pace flagged, allowing Cherono to move ahead and lead Guteni and Esther into the stadium. Gladys had the stronger finish and warded off the other two to win comfortably.
“The run was my first in India and I am glad with my performance. The weather was humid, which made running a little challenging personally. The run was slow initially but became a lot faster later. I am glad that I overcame the odds and came out victorious. I had a small lead when we entered the stadium and decided to move faster and hold on to my position, said Gladys.”
Following are the final results:
Overall Elite Men:
Alex Oloitiptip(KEN) 00.28.07; Nicholas Kipkemboi (KEN) 00.28.12; Birhanu Legese(ETH) 00.28.16; Mike Kigen(KEN) 00.28.29; Philemon Rono(KEN) 00.28.37; Dickson Marwa(TAN) 00.28.50; Yitayal Atnafu(ETH) 00.28.50; Gideon Kipketer(KEN) 00.28.56; Henry Kiplagat(KEN) 00.29.03; Moses Masai(KEN) 00.29.05.
Overall Elite women:
Gladys Cherono(KEN) 00.32.03; Guteni Shone(ETH) 00.32.10; Esther Chemtai (KEN) 00.32.14; Lucy Kabuu(KEN) 00.32.18; Emily Chebet(KEN) 00.32.19; Pascalia Kipkoech(KEN) 00.32.22; Helah Kiprop (KEN) 00.32.26; Malika Asahssah(MAR) 00.32.41; Yimer Wude(ETH) 00.32.54; Worknesh Degefa (ETH) 00.33.13.
Indian Men:
Suresh KR Patel 00.30.34 (Overall 20); V L Dangi 00.30.53; Mohd. Yunus 00.30.58; Indrajeet Patel 00.31.20; Man Singh 00.31.20; Soji Mathew 00.31.34; Arjun Pradhan 00.31.41; Nandraj Singh Naruka 00.31.43; Karan Singh 00.31.45; Santosh K 00.31.53.
Indian Women:
Sudha Singh 00.35.25 (Overall 14); Preeja Sreedharan 00.36.01 (Overall 15); O P Jaisha 00.36.31 (Overall 17); Monika Athare 00.36.37 (Overall18); Lalita Babbar 00.37.06 (Overall19); Kiran Tiwari 00.37.17 (Overall 20); Jhumma Khatun 00.37.36; Sinimol Paul 00.37.43; Manisha Salunkhe 00.38.01; Swati Gadhave 00.38.31.
Nations Challenge:
1. Uttar Pradesh (Sudha Singh, Mohammed Yunus, Suresh KR Patel) 01:36:56; 2. Maharashtra (V L Dangi, Man Singh, Lalita Babbar) 01:39:18; 3. Kerala (Arjun Pradhan, O Sonaton Singh, Preeja Sreedharan) 01:39:58; 4. Punjab (O P Jaisha, Sandip Kumar, Soji Mathew) 01:40:16.
DHL Corporate Challenge:
1.HIGH ON MARATHON (1: 55:20); 2. FIT KIDS (2:04:33); 3.GOLDMAN SACHS TEAM (2:16:24).
NIKE College Face off:
Boys: 1. Toyota Technical Training Institute (Team I) 01.58.08 2. Toyota Technical Training Institute (Team II) 01.58.20. 3. S.E.A. College Team A Boys I 02.08.26.
Girls: 1. S.E.A. College Team A Girls I 02.37.17; 2. St Anthony College 02.45.59; 3. S.E.A. College Team B Girls II 03.35.41.
Kingfisher Bombaat Brigade:
Diya Foundation (Winner-Fight Against Dengue).
Bosco Group(Runner up-Save a Street Child, Save a Generation).
Kingfisher Sakkath Bangalorean:
Basava Raju N (Winner-Spot Fixing)
Anand Raj (2nd Runner Up-Crime Against Women)
