Kenyan wins 4th Hornbill Half Marathon

Principal Correspondent Kohima, December 7 Foreign runner David Kiptoo from Kenya today won the 4th Hornbill Half Marathon while Keneisao Theünuo and Khrieno Tero emerged first amongst the boys and girls categories of the Great Hornbill Run. In the Half Marathon, coming from Kenya, David Kiptoo completed the 21 km race in one hour nine minutes and eight seconds while Pache Khiamniungan of Nagaland emerged second with just two seconds behind. Adding a new category this year, the organizers Elite Entertainment Enterprise (3E) Nagaland had included NSACS Special Lap under the theme “Championing Disabilities”, which was graced by Project Director Dr. T. Watikala. The first four winners in the Half Marathon received Rs. 50000, Rs. 15000, Rs. 10000 and Rs. 5000 respectively while in the Great Hornbill Run the first four winners in boys and girls categories bagged Rs. 10000, Rs. 7000, Rs. 5000 and Rs. 2000 and from fifth to tenth position holders received Rs. 1000 each. All the participants also received completion certificates. In his speech, she encouraged the participants to come forth and take part in similar events because differently abled people can also lead the same life as normal people and they can also contribute to society. She emphasised that the public should not discriminate while citing that in European countries differently abled people are treated just as normal people and they are allowed to identify their talents to lead their own lives. She gave away gift hampers to all the participants who were all very excited to receive prizes as this is probably the only event for differently abled people among the many Hornbill events. Altogether 27 children from Cherry Blossom School and Tabitha Enabling Academy participated while one of them included one wheelchair bound girl. The event was organised by – 3E Nagaland, supported by Tourism Department and NSACS and officiated by the Nagaland Athletic Official’s Club (NAOC). Meanwhile, the organisers expressed gratitude to NSACS for coming to the rescue when the event is on the verge of discontinuation due to meager funding. However, regrettably, the women’s category of the Half Marathon (21 Km) had to be cancelled and cash prizes for the other categories had to be reduced drastically. For more details and uploads, one can check 3enagaland on facebook or visit 3enagaland.org. RESULTS Half Marathon (men) Total runners – 66 runners 1st – David Kiptoo (Kenya) – 1:09:08 2nd – Pache Khiam (Nagaland) – 1:09:10 3rd – Oinam Sonaton Singh (Manipur) – 1:11:31 4th – Mhashekho Shijoh (Nagaland) – 1:13:37 Great Hornbill Run (Boys) Total runners – 105 runners 1st – Keneisao Theünuo 2nd – Bom Bahadur 3rd – T. Menyasipong Chang 4th – Khekuto D. Shohe 5th – Pongji 6th – Lemtsi Khiamniungan 7th – Peizeinang Hairagau 8th – Inato Sheqi 9th – Chichem Yimchunger 10th – Vesu Rhakho Great Hornbill Run (Girls) Total runner – 25 runners 1st – Khrieno Tero 2nd – Masimbui 3rd – Peiheiteile Esalung 4th – Pelevonuo 5th – Y. Phanongshi 6th – Nzanrhoni Tsopoe 7th – Thujozolu Shijo 8th – M. Liinriinla Kips 9th – Keneisoii Keditsu 10th – Chubasangla Jamir