Jane Murage wins CanKen 5K Road Race in Mississauga, Canada
Jane Murage of Team Umoja after being awarded Winner Gold Medal for the Women 5K Run at the CanKen Road Race in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, September 18 2016. Looking on is Deputy Kenya High Commissioner to Canada Amb. Prof. Jane Onsongo and Race Director of CanKen Road Race Mr. Eliud Lagat.
The first edition of CanKen 5K Road Race took place on Sunday, September 18 2016.
The event was graced by various dignitaries and invited guests including the Deputy Kenya High Commissioner to Canada Amb. Prof Jane Onsongo, Member of Provincial Parliament Mississauga East-Cooksville Hon. Dipika Damerla, Councillor John Kovac, Trillium Health Partners Foundation President Steve Hoscheit, KTB Canada Representative & President of Vox International Inc Susan Webb, President of Mississauga Cooksville Lions Club Phoebe Kagumba-Sibanda , Rotary Club of Mississauga-Airport President Ehsan Khandaker among others.
The Race which featured elite athletes for 5K Run was a battle between Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes. The 5K Walk was organized for the charity and fun participants.
The Men 5K Run was dominated by Toronto Olympic Club elite runners where Gold Medal was won by Hajin Tola with an impressive time of 14:45.9. Abreham Wagaye was awarded a Silver medal with 14:minutes 57.8 seconds. The third position went to Evans Maiko of Team Umoja who clocked in at 15:00.9.
Jane Murage of Team Umoja comfortably won the Gold Medal in Women 5K Run with 17 minutes 16.8 seconds followed by Dehininet Jara with 18 minutes 11.5 seconds and Abeha Yeabsira with 19 minutes 24.1 seconds, both of Toronto Olympic Club. Lucy Njeri and Winnie Chebet both of Team Umoja came fourth and fifth respectively.
The first three positions were awarded cash prizes of C$ 1,500, C$ 750 and C$ 500 respectively in both men and women categories.
The Toronto Olympic Club won the team trophy for fastest average time while Team Umoja which is mainly drawn from Kenyans living in Canada, won the largest turn out trophy.
The event also had the masters category athletes with Jeannette Chau winning the women 5K with 28 minutes 46 seconds while Predrag Mladenovic of Team E&E won the men 5K categories with 16 minutes 34.6 seconds.
The 1K Kids Dash was fun-filled with every participant getting a medal and trophies for the first three positions.
The CanKen 5K Road Race which is certified by AIMS/IAAF and accredited by Athletics Canada is organized by CanKen Sports Club in support of KidFit Program at Trillium Health Partners, which is one of the largest hospital groups in Canada
The inaugural CanKen 5K Road Race was organized in collaboration with the City of Mississauga, Athletics Canada and sponsored by various Kenyan and Canadian organizations. Kenya Tourism Board through its Magical Kenya Brand was the Title Partner.
The annual event is expected to facilitate cordial bilateral relations as well as boost Tourism and Trade between Kenya, Canada. Since it’s launch two months ago, it has gained support from various government, corporate entities and Not-for-profit organizations including Kenya High Commission, City of Mississauga, Athletics Canada, Athletics Ontario, Mississauga Board of Trade, The Lions Club, The Rotary Club and a host of other key community partners. Some of the sponsors and supporting partners in this year’s Road Race and EXPO included Kenya Tourism Board, Rogers TV and Ebrahimjee & Essaji Professional Accountants.
The Road Race was preceded by Tourism, Trade and Sports EXPO which was held between September 13-16, 2016 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The EXPO was officially opened by Kenya High Commissioner to Canada H.E. Amb. John L. Lanyasunya and Canadian political and business leaders among other invited guests.
CANKEN Sports Club
Website: www.cankensportsclub.com / www.cankenroadrace.com
Photos/Courtesy
~Wakenya Canada
