Long distance athletes, Chekwemoi Esther Yeko and Martin Kiprotich Magengo have won the Senior titles at the weekend 16th National Mountain Running Championships hosted in Kapchorwa.
Magengo of Police Club retained the 12km senior men’s title for second year in a row posting 44:25. He was followed by Kiprotich Levi (Prisons) 45:03 and Kibet Oscar (UWA) 45:11 in that order.
Magengo who won an individual silver medal in the 14km classic race at the 2025 World Mountain Running Championships in Spain, broke away from the leading pack 5km to run solo and ensure a comfortable finish at Kiprotich Teryet High Altitude Training Centre
He attributed the victory to intensive training and the conducive weather.
“I spent a lot of my training through this competition route. The conducive fair warm weather also played a very big part to this victory. Last year’s cold weather and drizzle was very harsh although won the championship,” Magengo said.
In the women’s 12 km senior race, Chekwemoi Esther Yeko (Police) crossed the finishing line in pole position clocking 53:04 followed in second by Mande Ruth (UPDF) 56:06 and third Chelangat Ariziki (UPDF) 56:15
Yeko who was third in last year’s edition also broke off from the hotly contested 7 packed leaders to claim victory
” I am extremely overwhelmed by this victory. Imagine coming from third position last year to win title today is really big achievement for me,” Yeko said.
The junior U20 women 10km title was taken by Chelimo Edith (Sebei College) 39:26, followed by Chebet Charity (Police) 40:31 and Chekwemoi Linda (Sebei College) 40:52
Sande Rotich (31:26) won the 10km Junior men title followed by Cherotich Abraham 32:58 and Kibet Sam Arapmasai 33:58 in all Arua Club affair.
Other results:
12km Women Masters
- Suuto Jane (Arua) 1:06:02
- Chemutai Hellen (Prisons) 1:09:15
- Chemoi Hellen (Masters) 1:14:15
12km Men Masters
- Yeko Michael (Kween) 53:29
- Mwanga Simon (Masters) 55:27
- Wanasolo Peter (Kapchorwa) 1:00:38
Uganda Athletics staked 5.3 million prize money awarded to the 1-2-3-4-5 top finishers and master’s 1-2-3 winners in the championships.
