NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 29 – Newly crowned Stanchart Nairobi Marathon champion for the men’s 42km, Alphonce Kigen, admits he is mightily relieved to redeem himself after a poor showing at the second edition of the Nairobi Expressway Classic Marathon in July this year.
The 2022 Padova Marathon champion said he was not expecting to beat hundreds of other runners to first place, noting that the finish was more than what he had bargained for.
“For me, running here today was not about winning…it was simply about trying my best. I ran in the Classic this year and I did not perform well because I had not prepared well. So, today is a much better outcome and I am very happy about it,” Kigen, who also finished eighth in the Route de Louvre Marathon in France, said.
Kigen clocked 2:10:18 to cut the tape, ahead of Moses Mwangi (2:10:26) and Patrick Kipchirchir (2:11:59).
After a job well done, Kigen says he will be giving himself some much-needed rest as he lays groundwork for next year.
“For now, I am not thinking of any other marathon until next t year. It is something to discuss with my coach and manager,” he said.
Speaking at the same time, Mwangi expressed his contentment with the second place finish, conceding that the race had stretched him to the limits.
“It wasn’t as easy as it seemed but I tried my best. There were some hilly sections and that’s what gave me the toughest test. I guess it is at the 40km mark that the race was won,” Mwangi said.
The Naro Moru-based runner further gave credit to his opponent for a race-well-run.
“He (Kigen) had much more energy and the strength to keep pushing on,” he pointed out.
