Kenyans Rotich, Chebwogen clinch Venture 5K

The Kenyan pair of Kenneth Rotich and Mercy Chebwogen won the men's and women's titles respectively when the 18th Annual Venture Credit Union Cooperative Society 5k was held in Couva, yesterday.

Rotich defended the men's and overall title in 14 minutes and 39 seconds which was more than a minute ahead of the second place finisher Cleveland Thomas of Guyana (15:46), and Shirvan Baboolal, was the first local runner to finish in 15:47. Veteran local runner Curtis Cox was fourth in 16:01.

Rotich, who was pleased with the organisation of the event, described the course as good. He noted that his next race will be in Texas, United States later this year.

Chebwogen was 16th overall, but captured the women's crown in 16:59. Grenadian Kenisha Pascal was a distant second in 18:09 and Sarah De Freitas copped bronze in 19:54.