Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui lived up to her billing as race favourite for the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on Sunday, taking four seconds off the African all-comers’ record to win the IAAF Bronze Label road race in 30:55.
Strong winds didn’t stop Chepkirui, who is now the second in the world all-time list for 10km with her 29:57 victory in Prague.
Chepkirui and fellow Kenyans Evaline Chirchir and Beatrice Mutai dictated the pact with Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare unable to stick to their blistering speed.
Nare stuck with the Kenyan trio for only two kilometres.
“I am really happy with my performance, especially the fast time, as this is my first road race in South Africa,” said Chepkirui.
“I usually stay at the back in the beginning and then make my move closer to the race finish.”
Stephen Mokoka won the men’s race in front of a home crowd, clocking 28:12 just a week after finishing fifth in the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.
