No Pain, No Gain For Ernest Kebenei In Nairobi

He suffered through the last stages to win.

The old adage, “No pain, no gain” proved true for Kenya’s Ernest Kebenei over the weekend. Despite a stabbing groin injury, the 27-year-old won the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday. Kebenei won the race in 2:10:54, missing the course record by 42 seconds.

Still, Kebenei took home a bonus of 1.5 million Kenyan shillings (about $15,000) for his efforts, defeating rivals Franklin Chepkwony (2:10:59) and Simon Kiprop (2:11:04) who finished in second and third place, respectively.

According to the race report posted on the Daily Nation Web site, Kebenei isn’t an “athlete” and spends his time studying at Baraton University.

“It’s only after I set my eyes on Nyayo National Stadium when coming back that I felt pain in my groin,” Kebenei said. “With Chepkwony charging fiercely, I prayed to God not to let this pot break at the doorstep and I thank him for answering my prayer on this beautiful morning.”

Kebenei is now looking to race the Dubai Marathon in January. He took up running 2004 while a high schooler at Kapikwen High School.

For More: Daily Nation