Mutai leads Kenyan 1-7 sweep in Cardiff Half Marathon, Chepngeno takes third in women event

Former World U18 silver medalist Vincent Mutai on Sunday 1 October led a group of Kenyans to take the first seven slots at the 20th Anniversary of the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon held in the Welsh Capital.

Mutai overcame course record holder and countryman Shadrack Kimining in humid conditions to take the title in 1:00:35 after a sprint finish down King Edward VII Avenue.

Bernard Biwott came in third in a time of 1:00:5, with the duo of Geoffrey Koech and Wesley Kimutai wrapping up the top five positions clocking 1:01:43 and 1:03:00 respectively.

“I feel good, this was my first time running this course,” Mutai, who was part of a four-man lead group that hit the first 10 kms in 28 minutes and 29 seconds said post-race. “It was a bit challenging but it was really enjoyable and now I am a winner so I am so happy.

“The support on the course was fantastic and it really helped me keep going. I would love to come back next year.”

The 28-year-old was part of a lead group alongside Kimining, Biwott and last year’s champion Koech.

Last year’s victor was cut loose by his fellow Kenyans as they raced through Cathays and around Roath Park to set up a sprint finish in the heart of the capital.

Mutai rounded the corner into the final straight and left Kimining (1:00:47) in his wake to secure a maiden Cardiff victory.

In sixth and seventh positions were David Kimaiyo and Martin Musyoka.

In the women’s race, Kenyan Viola Chepngeno came third behind race winner Mestawut Fikir (1:08:13) and Aminet Ahmed (1:08:14) - all of Ethiopia.

In her 1:08:14 performance, Chegngeno led two other Kenyans in Beatrice Cheserek and Dorcas Kimeli who came in fourth and fifth positions timing 1:08:25 and 1:10:09.

Cheserek, who had beaten Chepngeno to last year’s title, led from the front in defense of her title but faded to allow the front trio to battle it out down the home straight.

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It was the second victory in two months for Fikir however, as she added the Cardiff Half to her win at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon.

She had to fight until the last meter to overcome compatriot Ahmed and last year’s runner-up Chepngeno, who was making her second only appearance in Cardiff.

“It was a great race with amazing support, it was tough for me compared to last year and I am disappointed to finish third but I am happy with the time and I want to come back next time,” Chengeno said post-race.