Sumgong triumphs in Brazil

By Kennedy Lang’at.

Kenya’s Jemima Sumgong won another title in Brazil this year, setting a record for the St. Silvester road race following her gold in the marathon at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Sumgong, who also won the 2016 London Marathon, clocked 48 minutes, 35 seconds in the 15-kilometer New Year’s Eve event, finishing 40 seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan, Flomena Cheyech.

Ethiopian Leul Aleme won the men’s title in a time of 44 minutes 53 seconds and he was followed by his compatriot Dawit Admasu, with Kenya’s Stephen Kosgei finishing third.

Some 30,000 runners from 42 countries took part in the traditional New Year’s Eve race through the streets of Brazil’s largest city.

The Saint Sylvester race has become an end of the year staple in Sao Paulo with thousands of runners participating in the traditional race every year.