Kenyans make it double in the Jakarta 10K run

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Kenyan runners took both the men's and women's titles in the US$60,000 Jakarta International 10K run here on early Sunday morning.

Sammy Kipruto, runner up in the Bali International 10K last year, took first place in the men's international category with a time of 29 minutes and 48 seconds, followed closely by Martin Solle of Tanzania and Sisay Bezabeh of Australia with just a few seconds in the difference.

A few meters from the finish line, Bezabeh and Solle were leading before Kipruto, runner-up in last year's Bali event, accelerated to overtake his two rivals.

Bezabeh put Kipruto's victory down to the Kenyan's remarkable speed -- a product of his training for the 1,500 meters, his speciality.

"I've been training as a marathon runner, that's why I've lost my speed," Bezabeh told reporters. "Kipruto is specialized in the 1,500 meters. He has better speed than marathon runners."

Kipruto's time was still way below his Bali time.

"It's because of the humidity. It's very hot here," said Kipruto, whose best is 29 minutes and four seconds. He pocketed home the winner's prize of US$10,000.

In the women's competition, Eunice Jepkorir registered the best time of 33 minutes and six seconds to force compatriot Leah Mallot into second place, seven seconds behind.

Merima Denboba of Ethiopia finished third on 33 minutes and 20 seconds.

Around 23,000 runners took part in the race, which started at 6.30 a.m. at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta and finished at the same spot.

Jauhari Johan and Triyaningsih surprisingly emerged as the winners in the national category.

Jauhari beat last year's Bali 10k champion Agus Prayogo into second place with a time of 30 minutes and 59 seconds. Agus finished 46 seconds behind.

I Gede Karangasem finished in third place on 31 minutes and 51 seconds.

"I am very glad with the result because I only managed to finish fifth last year," Jauhari said.

Triyaningsih managed to beat her seniors Supriati Sutono, Rini Budiarti, Ferry Subnafeu and Erni Ulatningsih.

Triyaningsih's time was 35 minutes 19 seconds while runner-up Supriati only managed to clock 35 minutes 51 seconds. Third- placed Rini Budiarti was far behind them, crossing the finish line in 37 minutes and 51 seconds.

Asked to comment on the vast difference in the finishing times between national runners and their international counterparts, Jauhari said: "They have better skills and (training) methods than we have, but as long as we have the will to win, we can be like them one day," Jauhari said.