Lewa Marathon Triumph: Lemayan Defends Crown, Simiyu Reigns Supreme

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers Samson Lemayan and Lydia Simiyu emerged victorious at the 26th edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon, held at the scenic Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Meru County on Saturday. Both athletes overcame nagging injuries to secure their respective titles in the challenging 42km race.

Samson Lemayan, a 32-year-old speedster from Maralal, successfully defended his men’s title, clocking an impressive 2:27:04. This marks his first race of the year, and he expressed immense pride in retaining the crown, attributing his success to adequate preparations and a course that favored him due to consistent weather conditions. Despite battling a persistent injury this season, Lemayan remains hopeful for a full recovery in the coming weeks and aims to secure more prestigious international races through his manager, dedicating his victory to his family, friends, and fans.

In the women's category, debutant Lydia Simiyu, a 29-year-old mother of one from Trans-Nzoia who trains in Iten, stunned many by cutting the tape in 2:50:39 to claim the women's crown. Simiyu, who had been battling a leg injury, found the course particularly difficult but credited her rigorous training for the win. Inspired by her debut victory, she is now eager to compete in bigger international races, with plans for her manager to secure a marathon contest abroad in October. Simiyu also underscored the importance of the Lewa race as a noble cause for Kenyans to actively participate in, promoting environmental conservation. She expressed her hope to return next year not only to defend her title but also to improve her personal best.

Race organizers and representatives lauded the duo for their exceptional efforts in the highly competitive event, which attracted over 1300 participants from 33 countries globally. Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom, highlighted their 26 years of support for the marathon, emphasizing a long-standing commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact in communities, extending far beyond wildlife conservation. She thanked sponsors, partners, participants, and all contributors for the event's success, reaffirming Safaricom's dedication to the noble cause.

Charley Mayhew, Tusk Trust Chief Executive Officer, praised the marathon as a fantastic race that significantly boosts Kenya's global tourism profile. Rob Macaire of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy expressed his delight with the turnout, noting how the determined athletes created an enjoyable atmosphere and made the conservancy environs scintillating.

Men’s 42km selected results:

1. Samson Lemayan: 2:27:04

2. Victor Miano: 2:28:08

3. Nehemia Kimaru: 2:32:38

4. Hillary Kipkosgey: 2:32:36

5. Leonard Kyalo: 2:37:11

6. Timothy Kinoti: 2:38:50

7. Eliud Mutai: 2:39:34

8. Daniel Ndambuki: 2:42:17

9. Kenoti Kiyaa: 2:47:39

Women’s 42km selected results:

1. Lydia Simiyu: 2:50:39

2. Lydia Nyansikera: 2:56:41

3. Gladys Otero: 3:07:40