Dubai: Willy Kaikj Mwangi led a Kenyan one-two finish in the 8km race at the first UAE International Run Day held at Al Mamzar beach yesterday.

Mwangi completed the course in a time of 24.36 minutes to finish ahead of his compatriot Karanja Karauku, who timed in at 24.38 minutes.

Tanzania's Musenduki Ikoki was third with a time of 24.45 minutes.

The best position for a UAE runner was achieved by Ayoub Hussain who finished in eighth place. He clocked in at 27.37 minutes. "I am very pleased to win the race on this great occasion, the International Run day," claimed Mwangi.

But the 25-year-old Kenyan said that he could have clocked a better time had the weather conditions been better.

Final stages

"The weather was a bit hot and it did not help me to achieve a better time," he said. Mwangi said that it was not a tough race although his compatriot pushed him to increase his speed in the final stages of the race. "It wasn't easy, but I put more speed into my running in the last 100 metres to take first place," he said. The International Run Day was attended by a huge crowd at Al Mamzar beach. Competition was held in several categories for boys, girls, ladies and the disabled.

General Obaid Mohammad Al Qaabi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence, Major General Atiq Juma Bin Darwish, director of the co-ordination office at the Ministry of Defence, and Major General Khamis Salim Al Mehrizy, head of the International Run Day organising committee, attended the races and presented the winners with their medals and trophies.

The Dubai folklore band, Dubai Police music band and the Jordanian heritage dancing band entertained the crowd as parachutists dropped from planes carrying the UAE and CISM flags.

Results

Men and Super Race 8 km: 1- Willy Kaikj Mwangi 24:36 min, 2- Karanja Karauku 24:38 min, 3- Muesenduki Ikoki 24:45 min.

Boys 13-15 years 4 km: 1- Sarel Reynolds 18:16 min, 2- Khalid Mahmoud 18:33, 3- Rashid Khalfan 19:24 min.

Girls 13-15 years, 4 km: 1- Anjel Denis 27:43 min. 2- Hosna Mohammad 28:00, 3- Nahla Nesry 28:22 min.

Youth 15-17 years boys 4 km: 1- Abdullah Eissa 16:13 min, 2- Ayoub Omar 16:30, 3- Ahmad Salim 17:17 min.

Ladies , 4km: 1- Jane Pieir 20:12 min, 2- An Escadon 21:07, 3- Samira Ozmy 22:01.

Disabled 8 km: 1- Ali Saeed Al Saady, 2- Ahmad Salim Al Mamary.