Women have their day in the sun
Kapchorwa District Bomagrounds was a beehive of activities as women tussled it out in the 5km and 10km road races on Saturday, October 8.
The Independence Day Eve event was organized to specifically celebrate women and give them the platform to showcase talent and shape their own course going into the future.
The weather was perfect for the race. The rain that had been pounding the mountainous area stayed away that day, setting the stage for a thrilling contest among the young girls.
At about 9am, the day’s guest of honour, the Olympic Steeplechase champion Peruth Chamutai, flagged off the 10km race.
The event had fewer runners compared with the 5km race.
After about half an hour, the girls returned. Police Athletics Club’s Prisca Chesang, wearing a grey top and navy blue bikers emerged, well ahead of the pack and crossed the yellow tape to stamp her position us number one. She posted an impressive 35 minutes 29 seconds.
Coming behind her was the tall and lanky Prisons Club’s Docus Asok with 36.26. Close to her was Prisons colleague Belinda Chemutai who finished with 37.01.
At about 11am, the Foundation General Secretary Festo Majinjach flagged off the crowded 5km race.
The sun had come out, but not so generously as a bout of clouds shielded it from scorching the young girls.
The race is shorter, so the girls talk less than 30 minutes to return to the boma grounds.
Noel Cheruto of Tuku Africa emerged the winner with 20.04.06, followed by Teddy of Chekwemboi of UPDF with 20.15.07, and in third place was the young and inspiring Isabella Chebet of the JOCDEF Athletics Club with 20.15.43.
Soon after the event, the crowd that had been watching assembled at the tents pitched in one corner of the boma grounds. It was now time for awards.
Ms Peruth Chemutai said her dream was to groom a girl that will represent Uganda at the global stage in steeplechase.
“We need more of such events if we are to increase the chances of having star girls in major tournaments,” she said.
Marathon star Victor Kiplangat appreciated JOCDEF for holding the event and thanked World and Olympic Champion Joshua Cheptegei for his grateful and giving heart.
“With Joshua’s large heart, we are sure that Uganda will have more female champions,” Mr Kiplangat said.
Among the guests who attended the event were Beatrice Chelangat, the director of Reproductive, Educative, and Community Health, Mr Freddy Chelimo, the District Education Officer Kapchorwa, and Mr Musau Alfred Tunde, the sports officer of Kapchorwa.
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