By: Olita Reuben
LIMO, MUNGALA WIN 15KM MEN & WOMEN BUSIA BORDER RACE
Samuel Limo and Selpha Mungala were crowned 15km men and women Busia Border Race that started and ended at Busia Polytechnic on Easter Sunday.
Limo won the third edition of the race in a time of 52 minutes 01.9 seconds. He was followed in second position by Emmanuel Ogungo from Mayenje in a time of 55:00.2. Eliud Omulado took third position in 56: 16.0.
Bulanda Primary School standard seven pupil, Selpha Mungala defied odds to win the 15km women race in a time of one hour 2 minutes and 36 seconds. She beat Apokor Secondary Form One student, Harriet Okiring by 41 minutes.Goreti Akisa of St Peter’s Katelenyang Secondary took third position.
Mungala who took position one in the Matayos Sub County Games and the Kenya Secondary School Games as a guest runner in 5000m exuded confidence of qualifying for the nationals and attain good podium finish.
In 10km men’s race Evans Odero emerged winner in 32:36.67. Joshua Oduori (33:04.11) and Emmanuel Otaget ( 33:17.42) took second and third positions respectively.
In the ladies category, Mercy Asale from Amukura breasted the tape in 38 minutes and 50 seconds. She was followed in second position by Hellen Ijaa also from Amukura in 38:53 with Wilmina Awuor from Angorom taking third position in 39:40.
The 5km fun race was won by Joseph Okumu Angate in 11:29.38. The ladies race was won by Busia County Referral Hospital Nurse Annet Itinot in the event that attracted over 30 runners.
Busia Deputy Governor, H.E Arthur Odera finished the 10km race followed by County Executive Committee Member for Culture, Sports and Social Services, Paul Olunga Ekwenye. Other leaders who participated in the 10km race included Teso South MP, Mary Emaase, CECM Health, Beatrice Nakholi, nominated MP Beatrice Opwapo, veteran journalist John Mondo, blogger Oscar Etori Omerekeke and Christine Namaindi and Alice Bakhita Maganga from the office of the Governor participated in the 5km fun race.
The theme of the Busia Border Race was: Building and advocating for health and wellness through behaviour change for a sustainable, resilience and wealthy border community.
Principal Secretary Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES), Susan Mangeni said Busia County is endowed with vast talents, thus the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to nurture such talents.
The PS assured county residents that with Ababu Namwamba as Sports CS, his reign will see the transformation of sports in the county, noting that the President had passion for sports.
It was a moment of truth for Mzee Osokoni Osike of Apatit village in Teso South Sub County when he paraded four of sons and two daughters in various races. Harriet Okiring was second in 15km race with Goreti Akisa taking third position.
The sons took 7th, 12th, 17th and 19th positions respectively.
Deputy Governor Arthur Odera said the race started with planting of trees to curb environmental degradation which is key in the fight of climate change challenges.
County Executive Committee Member for Culture, Sports and Social Service, Paul Olunga Ekwenye said the County Government has set aside Ksh100million in the next financial year to renovate Busia County Stadium with emphasis of revamping the playing field and installation of tartan to be used by athletes, noting that the County Government will also co-sponsor the next edition of Busia Border Race.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase urged the organizers to make the Busia Border race a bi-annual event and involve local leaders to attract local and international support.
Athletics Kenya officials present included Western Region chairman Francis Afundi, his treasurer Martin Kabaka, national technical official, Shem Ominde, regional vice person, Anne Otiti and Busia County Secretary Hilda Hamusogot, among others.
Mr Kabaka urged the organizers to expand the scope of the race which will be transformed into marathon status next year by incorporating runners from neighboring Uganda to make it an international event and build cohesion and neighborliness considering that Busia county has relatives across the border.
Photos: Busia Border Race.
