Lamech Mosotoi Mokono (born April 7, 1981)[1] is a long-distance runner from Kenya who was a member of the team that won gold at the World Athletics 2008 Half Marathon Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[2] He won several races, including the 2013 Victoria Marathon in Victoria, Canada.[3][4]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  Kenya
| ||
| IAAF World Half Marathon Championships | ||
 |
2008 Rio | Team |
Professional career
editMokono, 5-foot-11, 128 pounds,[5] faced stiff competition in his third marathon race in on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. He took the lead from three-time Houston Marathon-winner David Cheruiyot the 12.5 mile marker in the 32nd Grandma's Marathon (in 2008) race in Duluth.[5][6] He finished the race just five seconds ahead of second-place finisher David Tuwei.[5] He was the eighth Kenyan to win the race, and he did so while wearing bib number 6, which was also worn by the 2007 winner Wesley Ngetich,[7] who had been shot with a poison arrow and killed after he returned to Kenya amidst political unrest.[8][9][10]
In 2008 Mokono ran ten races, including the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon earlier in January, where he placed fifth behind winner Michael Aish. He ran several other races throughout the United States of America and Brazil that year.[11] One of them resulted in a quirky finish. Mokono tied for first place with fellow Kenyan Valentine Orare at the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.[12] Both men finished the half-marathon at 1 hour, 2 minutes, 53 seconds. After deliberation that included checking finish photos, multiple video angles, and spectator photos, they were both awarded first place—and the $3,500 prize.[12]
Mokono was one of five Kenyan men who ran the 2008 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. The Kenyan men's team (which included Patrick Makau Musyoki, who took second, Stephen Kipkoech Kibiwott, Joseph Maregu, and Mekubo Mogusu) took the gold, with Mokono finishing in 1:08:49.[13][14]
Another good year for him was 2012. In Canada, runners from Kenya took the lead in the Montreal Marathon, and as the pack split up, Mokono battled for second place.[15]
Achievements
edit| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | World Half Marathon Championships | Rio de Janeiro | 54th | Half marathon | 1:08:49 |
| 1st | Team | 3:07:24 |
References
edit- ^ "Lamech Mokono". World Athletics. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ "World Athletics Half Marathon Championships: 2008 IAAF-CAIXA World Half Marathon Championship Results". Monaco: World Athletics. 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (October 15, 2013). "A record-breaking day". Victoria Times Colonist. pp. B3.
- ^ Kelsall, Christopher (October 7, 2015). "GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon happens this Sunday, October 11th". Athletics Illustrated. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
- ^ a b c Pinke, K (June 20, 2008). "Mokono wins Grandma's Marathon in second-closest finish in race history". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ Youngblood, Kent (June 22, 2008). "Grandma's marathon: 32nd running: Fittingly, the winner wore No. 6; In a tribute of sorts, Lamech Mokono drew the number of his late friend and last year's winner". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- ^ Gilbert, John (21 June 2008). "Kenyan Breezes in Third Marathon". Sports. Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota.
- ^ Oyoo, Jack (22 January 2008). "Unrest threatens Kenya sporting hopes". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ Kimutai, Vitalis (29 January 2008). "Athlete killed on peace mission". African Press International. Oslo, Norway. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ "Kenyan wins his 1st Grandma's". InForum. June 21, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lamech Mokono". World Athletics. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Woods, David (May 4, 2008). "Mini Drama!". The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. pp. A1.
- ^ Turner, Chris (October 12, 2008). "Emphatic third triumph; Tadese goes solo from 5km - Men's Race Report, Rio 2008". Monaco: IAAF. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ^ Turner, Chris (October 12, 2008). "Tadese – confident in victory and his sporting plans at least – Rio 2008". Monaco: IAAF. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ "Kenyan-born runner wins record-setting Montreal Marathon". CBC. September 23, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2022.