- Chepngetich is winning the award for a second time
- She was awarded after a stellar performance at the Nagoya Marathon
- Brigid Kosgei and Eliud Kipchoge were also shortlisted
World Marathon Champion Ruth Chepngetich has waded off competition from ne’s world record holder Eliud Kipchoge to clinch the LG/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Sports personality for the month award for March.
The 27-year-old clinched the award following her stellar performance at the Nagoya Marathon in Japan.
Chepngetich bossed the streets of Japan on March 13 to win the Nagoya Women’s Marathon clocking 2:17.18, her time, the second-fastest ever in a women’s-only marathon, behind Mary Keitany’s world record of 2:17.01.
This is her second award, having bagged the April 2021 gong following her exploits at the Istanbul Half Marathon in a new World Record of 1:04:02.
Apart from Kipchoge, Chepng’etich who has since joined the Kenya Prisons Service also beat Tokyo Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei to the March title.
Kenya Marathon Legend Catherine Ndereba (L) , Ruth Chepng’etich and Ken Aluda of Kenya Prisons pose for a photo during the SJAK Sports Personality of the month awards for March at the Kenya Prisons Headquarters
Also nominated were para-athletes Rodgers Kiprop who won the T11 5000m gold, Nancy Chelagat who won the T11 1500m gold.
Others were World Under-20 bronze medalist Noah Kibet, who raced to a silver in 800m at the World Indoor Championships, Kenya Open amateur winner Njoroge Kibugu, Samuel Gathimba who won a bronze medal at the World Race Walking Team Championships and Kabras Sugar’s Jone Kubu who guided his side to clinching the Kenyan Cup title.
“It’s such a great feeling being acknowledged for your performance in a very competitive space. I want to become the first ever personality to win this award for the third time,” Chepngetich said.
For her efforts she was awarded with an LG Solardom Oven and a trophy engraved with her name.
Speaking at the event during the presentation ceremony held at Kenya Prisons Headquarters Nairobi, LG Electronics Corporates Marketing Manager Maureen Kemunto said;
Ruth Chepng’etich with Brigadier (Rtd) John Kibaso Warioba CG Kenya Prisons
“This award allows us as LG Electronics to strengthen sports cohesion among our sports champions and communities across diverse disciplines. Our commitment is to ensure that the desire the dream and vision of our sports personalities do not wither.”
Commissioner General of Prions, Brigadier (Rtd) John Warioba said awarding Chepngetich for the second time in two seasons is good for the service and works to motivate many other athletes to aim higher.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank SJAK and sponsors LG for highlighting our athletes performances across all sports. I hope more athletes from the prisons service will be inspired by this award to do better for the country,” he said.
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