Kitwara Dominates World’s Best 10K
- By Duncan Larkin
- Published Feb. 26, 2013
- Updated Feb. 26, 2013 at 8:31 AM UTC
He won his fourth race last weekend.
When it comes to the annual World’s Best 10K in San Juan Puerto Rico, Sammy Kitwara is a pro.
The 26-year-old Kenyan won the race last Sunday for the fourth time in his career. His finishing time was 28 minutes and 42 seconds.
The race was a tactical affair with Kitwara running a negative split in his second 5K.
Forty-year-old Luis Rivera opened up the race with a surge, but he was eventually reeled in by a large pack of Africans.
By the 6K mark, Kitwara was cruising and ran past his fellow rivals.
“I felt great. It was hot and humid, but I am used to those conditions in my country,” he recalled. “I was certain I could win after the sixth kilometer. I just followed my pace and won.”
Fellow Kenyan Julius Kogo came in second in 28:48, while Kenneth Kiprop was third 10 seconds afterwards.
Joyce Chepkirui won the women’s race in 31:40.
“I felt very well,” she said. “The wind is always a factor, but I managed to run fast and at the right time. I am honoured to have won here for the first time.”
For More: IAAF
FILED UNDER: News / Race Coverage TAGS: Joyce Chepkirui / Sammy Kitwara / World's Best 10K
Duncan Larkin
Duncan Larkin is the news editor at Competitor.com and a freelance journalist who’s been covering the sport of running for over five years. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. His first running book, RUN SIMPLE, was released last July.