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Kenya’s Kipkosgei wuns 44th Youngstown Peace Race
Dennis Kipkosgei overtakes Ryan Robinson late to win the 44th Youngstown Peace Race
By Brian Dzenis
YOUNGSTOWN
For the firsT time in years, the Youngstown Peace Race actually resembled a race.
The battle between Michigan cross country runner Ryan Robinson and Kenyan Dennis Kipkosgei in the 44th edition of the charity race wasn’t decided until the final moments. They both made their final push and Kipkosgei won by a second.
“We were neck and neck down the home stretch,” Robinson said. “I passed him with about 150 meters to go and he got me with about 50 to go.
“His breathing sounded pretty relaxed [during the race], but afterwards, we were both pretty tired and pretty shot.”
Robinson led for the first two miles before Kipkosgei overtook him and then the pair were battling for the rest of the race.
“I was going full speed,” Kipkosgei said.
Had Robinson won, he would have been the first U.S.-born runner to win the Peace Race since Kent’s Andrew Carnes in 2010. This year’s race was the closest since Ugandan-born U.S. citizen Julius Bor beat Kent’s Aiman Schullian by three seconds in 2012.
Robinson is currently redshirting for the Wolverines after transferring from Michigan State, which allows him to compete in road races and in collegiate events as an unattached runner. He said the NCAA allows him to accept the $400 in prize money that he earned. To race in Youngstown, race organizers set him up with a host home. Canfield’s Kathy Garritano took him in.
“I can’t say enough about how grateful I am for people like them in the sport,” Robinson said. “Without people like that, I wouldn’t be here.”
Kipkosgei won with a time of 28 minutes, 58 seconds. Fellow Kenyan Cleophas Ngetich came in third at 30:32 and Youngstown State assistant track and cross country coach Eric Rupe was fourth with a personal-best 30:46 as the fastest local.
“It was my lifetime PR including on the track where I’m usually quicker,” Rupe said. “I felt really strong — the best I’ve felt at a Peace Race. My training hasn’t been as high as it usually is at this point, so I was very happy.”
The women’s side of the race didn’t have the same sense of drama. Kenyan Brilliant Jepkorir won with a personal-best 32:35 and the next female runner didn’t cross the finish line until almost two minutes later.
“This was pretty difficult compared to some of the races I’ve had. The wind was very strong,” Jepkorir said. “The course was nice and the weather was very good, not too cold.”
A former junior member of the Kenyan national team, Jepkorir arrived in the United States in August and has won all four races in which she has competed. Her previous victories came in the Crim Festival 10 Mile, the Celebrate Westlake 5 Mile and the Iowa Park to Park half-marathon.
“She’s been racing like her namesake,” said her coach, Owen Anderson.
In the Masters categories, Lake Milton’s Jason Tatarka and Pittsburgh’s Tina Seech were the winners. Eric Rupe’s mother, Michelle Rupe, repeats as the women’s Grand Masters winner and Rock Creek’s Steve Locy is the men’s Grand Master. Berea’s Bill Long and Chesterland’s Susan Beck were the Senior Masters winners.