Kenyans Salem Kibet and Doreen Cherop claim Absa Run Your City Tshwane victories

Salem Kibet and Doreen Cherop gave Kenya a clean sweep of the Absa Run Your City 10km men’s and women’s races in Tshwane on Sunday.

Kibet won the men’s event in 28:45, finishing ahead of South Africa’s Zenzile Pheko, who recorded 28:55. Chris Mhlanga completed the men’s podium in 28:46.

Cherop took the women’s title in 31:35, with South African Glenrose Xaba second in 31:38. Another Kenyan international, Deborah Chemutai, finished third in 31:59.

Cherop’s victory followed her success in Durban in July, giving her back-to-back wins in the Absa Run Your City series.

“I’m so happy to win in Durban and Tshwane,” she said.

The Kenyan runner said her confidence came from the work she had put in during training, although she admitted she had not felt at her best before the race.

“I trust my training, so when it comes to running the race, it is easy because I train hard. My body was not good, and I didn’t expect to win, but I’m happy with my achievement.

“The course in Durban was not hard, but here it is difficult.”

Xaba, who finished second, said the result provided encouragement as she continues to prepare for the World Half Marathon Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 20 September.

The South African was pleased with her performance at altitude and believed it showed she was in the right shape for the next stage of her preparations.

“I’m excited; the competition was very high, but I’m glad that I was able to push and fight until the finish. It’s the 200m. I realised that I have more energy to close the gap, but it was too late,” Xaba told the media after the race.

“But I’m glad that I was able to give the competition, and she is faster than me because I had 31:12 and she had 30:43 in Durban, so to run this time at high altitude shows that I am in good shape.

“The course is challenging but very fast. I’m very happy that I was able to run. Last week I was running on the hills, and I think it is getting a bit of an impact, but I’m not worried about the win or what. I’m glad that I was able to finish in position two and enter the competition. This shows that I’m on track with my preparations for the World Championships.

“I’m looking forward to achieving my goals at the World Half Marathon Championships.”

About 10,000 runners took part in the Tshwane race, including Comrades Marathon Up Run champion George Kusche and Tete Dijana.

The field tackled what was described as a challenging course as the Absa Run Your City event brought elite athletes and mass participation runners together on the streets of Tshwane.