Wisley Kipkemoi and Phenah Yego triumph at 2025 Iten Betika Road Race

Reigning Chemususu half marathon champion Wisley Yego Kipkemoi and teenager Phenah Yego triumphed in the 2025 Betika Iten 15km road race held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Yearning to earn a slot into the team Kenya for this year’s World Athletics championships in Tokyo, Japan, Kipkemoi edged out experienced runners led by triple Toronto marathon champion Philemon Rono, former world half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum among others for the title.

“I came all the way from Keringet with the sole purpose of running well as part of my training ahead of National trials for World Athletics Championships in Tokyo,” said Kipkemoi.

He said that the race was tough but his training paid off after achieving the best results

“I prepared well, gauging my body response on a tough course. I tried to run fast in the last kilomtre so that my competitors can’t catch up with me,” said Kipkemoi the winner of 2014.

“I came to try here as part of track preparations ahead of Tokyo world championships in 10,000m,” added Kipkemoi.

In the women’s race, Yego said that the course was tough but her competitor Catherine Reline, the world half marathon bronze medalist played a key role in ensuring that she wins.

“Today’s race was so hard but I thank God that Reline (Catherine) paced for me to become the winner. I was running behind her for the better part of the race and in the last kilometres, she was tired and I overtook her to this maiden victory,” said Yego.

At 19 years, Yego said that she was not sure of winning since she was only competing on her second race after last year’s Iten International marathon when she finished 7^th.

“I never knew that I can win apart from today’s victory after 7^th finish last year. But being in the Athletics Kenya training camps really shaped me to be at this points,” said Yego, who did her form four education last year at the Moi Girls’ Kaptama in Mt Elgon, Bungoma County.

Top results

Women

1. Phenah Yego 51:12:6
2. Catherine Reline 51:26:8
3. Cynthia Chepngeno 51:36”4
4. Beatrice Cheserek 52:32:1
5. Irene Cheruto 52:54:6
6. Antonina Kwambai 52:55:3
7. Mercy Rono 53:06:6
8. Abigail Chepnagei  53:13:0
9. Abigail Chepkoech 53:17:0
10. Rita Chelagat 53:24:4

Men

1. Wisely Yego Kipkemoi 45:13:7
2. Weldon Lagat 45:18:5
3. Amos Kiprotich 45:19:4
4. Amos Kipkemoi 45:20:7
5. Lomwai kalipus 45:27:0
6. Kosgei Kiptum 45:28:6
7. Vincent Kimaiyo 45:34:0
8. Abraham Kiptum 45:40:3
9. Philemon Rono 45:41:0
10. Brimin Kipruto 45:46:7