Kenyans dominate Standard Bank Be More Race

Kenya long-distance runners had a day to remember after they dominated the 2022 Standard Bank Be More Race in Lilongwe yesterday. In the men “s category, Kenyan Geoffrey Kirwa emerged the champion whereas compatriot Monica Cherupu won the ladies category. Kirwa was the first to cross the finish line of the 21- kilometre race in 1:06. 07..

By Mabvuto Kambuwe

Kenya long-distance runners had a day to remember after they dominated the 2022 Standard Bank Be More Race in Lilongwe yesterday.

In the men’s category, Kenyan Geoffrey Kirwa emerged the champion whereas compatriot Monica Cherupu won the ladies category.

Kirwa was the first to cross the finish line of the 21-kilometre (km) race in 1:06.07.

Local athletes Kefasi Kasiten and Grevazio Mpani finished on position two and three respectively in the half marathon.

Kasten clocked 1:06:15.

For winning the race, Kirwa will get K1.5 million whereas Kasten will receive K900,000.

Mpani will pocket K500,000.

Kirwa was happy to have won the race.

“It feels great to win the race. I trained well for the race but I urge Malawian athletes to come and train in Kenya,” Kirwa said.

Mphatso Nadolo finished on position four whereas Chikondi Mwanyali was on position five.

In the ladies category, Cherupu emerged the champion after she finished the race 1:18:13.

She was followed by fellow Kenyan Christine Kambua, who clocked 1:20:42.

Local athlete Nalicy Chirwa came third in 1:21:01.

As usual, the race was divided in three categories 5km, 10km and 21km distances.

Standard Bank Chief Executive Philip Madinga saluted the participants.

“I am sure you will all agree with me that good health does more than just keep us alive; it allows people to live with purpose. It enables us to enjoy the things we love. The importance and broad benefits of health have been strongly endorsed by the Malawi 2063 blueprint, which envisions a healthy population with improved life expectancy working towards the socio-economic transformation of Malawi.

“By sponsoring Be More Race, Standard Bank would like to demonstrate what is Possible and Can Be when people achieve good health,” he said.

The Be More Race returned this year after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It attracted several people and organisations from different sections.

Athletics Association of Malawi General Secretary Frank Chitembeya said he was disappointed that local athletes did not perform according to expectations.

“We expected them to perform better than this. In future, our athletes should prepare well for such events,” Chitembeya said.

Proceeds of the race will go towards supporting Lilongwe Girls Secondary School where Standard Bank is constructing girls’ hostels.

Lilongwe City Mayor Richard Banda and Principal Secretary in Ministry of Youth and Sports Oliver Kumbambe also graced the event.