This year’s title went to American sprinter Kenneth Bednarek, who won the race in 9:91 seconds. Mark Otieno, another Kenyan who featured in the race, settled for sixth. Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala failed to defend his Kip Keino Classic title on Saturday evening at the Nyayo National Stadium. Omanyala, who was the pre-race favorite, did not even manage to finish inside the top 3 positions in the World Athletics Continental Tour event.

The University of Nairobi alumni clocked 10:03 to register a fifth-place position in a race that was won by United States’ sprinter Kenneth Bednarek. Matadi and Azu clocked 9:99 and 10:00 respectively. Speaking to SportPesa News, Bednarek stated that he was happy to see the effort that he has been putting in training pay fruits. “I am just happy with my performance.

I mean, I have been training a lot, working hard on the track. You know, I am just happy to see the results on the track,” he commented. Bednarek added that he has plans to go to a Safari on Sunday before flying out of the country. The sixth-place position went to Kenya’s Mark Odhiambo Otieno, who finished the race 19 seconds slower than his compatriot Omanyala.

Swiss runner William Jeff Reais came a distant third in 20:54. Elsewhere, fast-rising starlet Mary Nyaruai overcame experienced runners such as Edinah Jebitok to run away with the 1500m women’s title. Nyaruai, who won a medal for Kenya at the recently concluded African Games, crossed the finishing line in 4:06.26 ahead of Jebitok (4:07.22) and Ethiopia’s Hawi Abera (4:10.96).