Running: Macharia, Jepkoskei win 2008 Sporting Life 10k; half a million dollars raised for Camp Oochigeas

Monday, May 05, 2008 - 04:32 PM

TORONTO. 4th May 2008.

Moses Macharia continued to tear up the roads in the Canada Running Series this Spring, with an impressive victory at this morning's Sporting Life 10K, in 28:18. Defending champion and course record-holder, Florence Jepkoskei retained her women's crown, crossing the line in 32:11. Macharia had already won Harry's Spring Run-Off Toronto 8K and placed second at Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal to Samuel Ndereba, in April. Kenyans Macharia and Jepkoskei led a record field of 9,916 down Canada's most famous Street, "running down Yonge without getting run down" in "Canada's Fastest 10K".

The other big winner on the morning was Camp Oochigeas, a summer camp for kids with cancer in the Muskokas. They took home a record $502,000 from the morning's efforts, up appreciably from the $310,000 raised last year.

Macharia took off from the start of "Canada's Fastest 10K", on the shoulder of fellow-countryman Theophilas Musyoki. They covered the first kilometre in 2:46, followed by a brisk 2:44. This immediately opened up a gap of some 30 metres from a trailing group led by Jospephat Ongeri. The two settled in until 5K, passed in 14:00; Macharia then took charge dropping in another 2:44 and a 2:46, to open up a 20 metre gap. The separation was maintained, as they turned into a strong and gusty West wind for the last couple of kilometres [2:53 and 3:00]. Musyoki crossed the line just 9 seconds back in 28:27. Ongeri held on for third [29:27], while Canadians Amor Dehbi [Montreal] and Paul Chafe [Toronto] came through nicely to split up the Kenyans and take 4th and 5th in 29:54 and 30:03, respectively.

Florence Jepkoskei, who had blistered the course in 31:42 last year, had things all her own way today, cruising to victory in a respectable 32:10, after getting off the plane from Nairobi on Friday evening. Great Britain's Nicky Archer registered a big PR, placing second in 33:30. The 22 year-old Archer is coached by Bud Baldero in his GB Marathon Squad at the University of Birmingham. Kingston's Emily Tallen tucked in behind Archer for the first 5km, but then let her slip away, finishing 20 seconds back [33:50].

Masters winners Louis-Philippe Garnier of Montreal [32:03] and Paula Wiltse of Kingston [34:36], also ran well in the blustery and cool conditions.