Chepng'eno, Kipruto clinch top honors at 2025 Eldoret City Marathon
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 27.04.25. | 12:37
Speaking after the race, Chepng’eno revealed that the victory resulted from both strategy and perseverance
Viola Chepng’eno and Edwin Kipruto were crowned champions of the 2025 Eldoret City Marathon, held on Sunday, 27 April, in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
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Chepng’eno displayed remarkable endurance and tactical brilliance to clinch the women’s title in 2:26:22.
At the halfway mark (21km), she had clocked 1:10:09, running neck-and-neck with close competitors.
By the 30km point, she was still within touching distance of the lead, recording a time of 1:44:42 before surging ahead in the final stretch.
Speaking after the race, Chepng’eno revealed that the victory resulted from both strategy and perseverance.
"I am very happy to win. Sheila pushed us, and my body responded well. I knew I had to push in the last 10km,” she offered.
Sheila Jebichi, who stayed close throughout the race, clocked 1:10:10 at 21km and slightly edged ahead at 30km (1:44:41).
However, Chepng’eno's strong finishing kick secured her the win, with Jebichi settling for second in 2:26:54.
“I have been training for this since January. I had adequate time to prepare because this was my first race of the year. It has not been easy. I motivated myself, and I was almost sure I would not win. After this, my coach will plan the rest of the races,” Jebichi, who trains at Kaptagat, said.
Gladys Koech, who matched the leaders’ early pace, lost ground after the 21km mark, clocking 1:44:50 at 30km, and eventually finished third in 2:29:55.
Ruth Wakabu (2:32:52) and Joy Loyce Kemuma (2:33:12) completed the top five.
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In the men’s race, Kipruto, who trains in Kaptagat, broke away in the latter stages to claim victory in 2:11:21.
He took advantage of a tactical slowdown around the 15km mark, deciding to up the pace and separate himself from the chasing pack.
"God has helped me win this race. When we reached 15km, I realized everyone was slowing down, so I decided to run faster. After 30km, we were only two. I had studied the course and knew the last 10km slope would be tough. That’s where I made my move,” he said.
Geoffrey Chirchir finished second in 2:11:56, while Timothy Kipchumba secured third in 2:12:08. Wilfred Korir (2:13:28) and Kenneth Kiprop (2:13:51) followed in fourth and fifth, respectively.
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