Kenya win Chiba road relay race
Kenya won the marathon-distance Chiba international mixed road-relay race on Wednesday, with two male stars overwhelming their rivals.
Kenya finished the race in two hours, four minutes and 40 seconds, followed by Japan in 2:04:59 and the Japanese student selection in 2:07:26.
The race is divided into six sections of the men's 5km, women's 5km, men's 10km, women's 5km, men's 10km and women's 7.195km, making up a full marathon distance.
Strong performances by Kenya's third and fifth runners Patrick Mutunga Mwikya and Edwin Nyandusi Mokua gave them a commanding lead over their rivals.
It was more than enough to shrug off a stellar showing by the Japanese women, who consistently clocked top times for their sections.
This was the first victory for Kenya since the race became mixed in 2007.
RESULTS
1. Kenya 2:04:40
2. Japan 2:04:59
3. Japanese student selection 2:07:26
4. Russia 2:07:56
5. USA 2:09:06
6. Australia 2:09:56
7. Chiba selection 2:11:55
8. Poland 2:12:53
9. Romania 2:13:39
10. Canada 2:13:52