Kenya’s Rhonex Kipruto Wins 2018 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in 27:08, Fastest 10K Ever Run on U.S. Soil
New York, April 29, 2018— Kenyan athlete, Rhonex Kipruto took the tape at today’s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in record breaking fashion. With a time of 27:08, the 18-year-old set a new event record and claimed the fastest ever 10K time run on U.S. soil on a record-eligible course. Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba finished first for the women in 32:04 at the 14th annual race on Sunday, April 29 in Central Park.
Kipruto, smashed the previous event record of 27:35, set by Leonard Patrick Komon of Kenya in 2011, earning the coveted Zayed Bonus, which totaled $30,000. The Zayed Bonus, courtesy of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in honor of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, is awarded to the man or woman who claims first place at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K with an event record time.
In his NYRR race debut, Kipruto finished 11 seconds ahead of compatriot Mathew Kimeli who finished second with a time of 27:19. Rounding out the men’s podium was Ethiopia’s Teshome Mekonen placing third in a time of 28:10.
Diriba’s win today comes just weeks after her first-place finish at the 2018 United Airlines NYC Half. She was followed by compatriot Aselefech Mergia in 32:06 in second place and Monicah Ngige, of Kenya, claimed third place for the second consecutive year in 32:15.
In addition to Kipruto’s $30,000 bonus, both he and Diriba received a $10,000 prize for taking the top podium spots, with 7,553 runners finishing the race in total.
After an early lead, Laura Thweatt, 29, was the top American women’s finisher of the day placing fourth in 32:22. Returning to competition this spring following an injury, Thweatt finished as the top American – seventh overall – at the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon.
Top three male finishers:
1. Rhonex Kipruto, 18, Kenya - 27:08
2. Mathew Kimeli, 20, Kenya - 27:19
3. Teshome Mekonen, 22, Ethiopia - 28:10
Top three female finishers:
1. Buze Diriba, 24, Ethiopia - 32:04
2. Aselefech Mergia, 33, Ethiopia - 32:06
3. Monicah Ngige, 24, Kenya - 32:15
The UAE Healthy Kidney 10K is part of NYRR’s Pro Racing Series, which is made up of eight races – from the mile to the marathon – and features invited professional athlete fields. The other races in the series include: NYRR Wanamaker Mile at the NYRR Millrose Games, United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR New York Mini 10K, New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, USATF 5K Championships, and TCS New York City Marathon.
The United Arab Emirates is the primary sponsor of the race, which benefits the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., in appreciation of American doctors and U.S. excellence in the kidney transplant arena. UAE’s founder and first president, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, benefited from U.S. expertise, knowledge, and research when he received a kidney transplant in 2000. Among his many honors and accomplishments, he was most proud of being a kidney transplant survivor.
Every year, the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K raises awareness of kidney disease and organ donation and promotes kidney health by supporting the National Kidney Foundation and its lifesaving programs. Runners can register for the race with NFK’s Team Kidney and raise additional funds in support of the organization’s mission.
Complete race results for the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K can be found at www.nyrr.org, and any media inquiries can be directed to media@nyrr.org.
In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth running initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.