Ronald Kurgat takes home 2million for winning Stanchart Nairobi Marathon

The 2019 Jerusalem Marathon champion, Ronald Kipkurui Kurgat took the top honors at the 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Marathon held on Sunday (27) at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

The 34 year-old who is based in Iten and failed to finish his race last year, shook off his opponent at the 39km mark when he engaged his gear that the reigning Izmir Half Marathon champion, Dominic Kipkurui Bett, could not respond to, pulling further away from him to cut the tape first in a time of 2:13.05 with Bett left with no other option but to settle in second place eight seconds later.

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Peter Kwemoi Ndorobo, who was banned by Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in 2019 for the Presence of Prohibited Substances (EPO), made his come back with a podium place when he finished in third in a time of 2:13.14.

“I saw everyone was strong, so I tested the waters with three kilometers remaining, to see how my opponent will respond by kicking and I saw the two never gave the chase. I decided to push myself thinking that they will get me but known did,” said Kurgat.

Kurgat pocketed Kshs 2million as cash prize for first place with Bett taking Kshs 1million and Ndorobo took Kshs 750,000.

This year’s race attracted the highest number of participants, a record high of 25,000 runners.