The second edition of the Busia Half Marathon, organized by the Western Development Initiative Association (WEDIA) in partnership with the National Police Service, took place on Sunday, attracting 116 athletes competing in the 21 km and 10 km races.
The 21 km race, which drew runners from across the country, started in Nambale town and concluded at Busia Stadium, while the 10 km race, reserved for local participants, kicked off at Kemodo Centre and ended at the same venue.
In an emotional victory, Leonard Langat from Bomet County won the men’s 21 km race in a time of 1:03:10. Langat, who had previously struggled to secure a win this year, expressed joy at his hard-earned success. “This is my first win of the year, and I am thrilled. I have run in many races without winning, but this win means a lot. If you have passion and work hard, you can achieve anything. I am looking forward to doing even better next year,” Langat said.
Beatrice Chepkemoi from Keringet claimed victory in the women’s 21 km race with a time of 1:13:18. She credited her success to the inspiration and guidance of world 1500m record holder Faith Kipyegon and her coach. “Faith has been a huge support to me. I have focused on road races this year, and next year, I will shift to the marathon,” Chepkemoi revealed.
Francis Ebei and Edward Bett finished second and third in the men’s category with times of 1:03:17 and 1:04:05, respectively. For the women, Mary Munanu secured second place in 1:14:39, while Carolyne Chepkwony clinched third in 1:14:49.
The 10 km race saw strong performances from local athletes. Ruth Namukula won the women’s category in 42:46, followed by Selpher Mungala (46:26) and Mildred Alukwe (50:10). In the men’s division, Wence Wabwire emerged victorious with a time of 33:41:51, narrowly beating Edwin Bwire (34:54:49) and Mark Andiema (35:02:99), who finished second and third, respectively.
The top athletes were handsomely rewarded for their efforts. The gold medallists in the 21 km race received cheques worth KSh 200,000, while the silver and bronze winners took home KSh 80,000 and KSh 50,000, respectively. For the 10 km race, winners were awarded KSh 50,000 for gold, KSh 20,000 for silver, and KSh 15,000 for bronze. Notably, 59-year-old Pricillah Biwot received special recognition and a cash prize for her remarkable effort in completing the 21 km race.
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Stephen Etyang, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, emphasized the importance of clean sports and urged athletes to steer clear of doping. “Hard work and consistency are key. Avoid shortcuts like doping, as it ruins careers and the integrity of sports. Let your talent uplift your life in the right way,” he advised.
Etyang also encouraged residents to embrace early cancer screening and register for SHA (Social Health Authority) services to ease access to treatment. “Cancer has touched many families, and early screening is critical. Let’s also take care of our health to ensure we maintain a productive and healthy population, especially here in the Western region where agriculture is vital,” he added.
The Busia Half Marathon not only showcased incredible talent but also united communities, inspiring both young and old to pursue healthy, active lifestyles.
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