Sam Chelanga Just Edges Out Former Olympic Bronze Medalist Thomas Longosiwa To Win UAE Healthy Kidney 10K
NYRR Press Release
April 9, 2017
New York—U.S. athlete, Sam Chelanga, won the 13th annual UAE Healthy Kidney 10K on Sunday, April 9, in Central Park in 28:21. Mamitu Daska, of Ethiopia, finished first for the women in 31:37.
Chelanga, in his UAE Healthy Kidney 10K debut, edged out second place finisher Thomas Longosiwa of Kenya by just 64 hundredths of a second to win the race. Kenya’s Stephen Sambu, the 2016 United Airlines NYC Half winner, placed third in 28:31. Chelanga is the third U.S. male ever to place first in this event. Today’s victory also saw his first-ever win at an NYRR race.
Daska’s win today was her second podium finish in the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, having placed second at the event in 2014. She was followed by Kenya’s Magdalyne Masi in 31:44 in second place and Monicah Ngige, also of Kenya, in third in 31:55. Daska previously won the NYRR New York Mini 10K in 2013, making today’s victory her second NYRR race win.
Both winners received a $10,000 prize for taking the top podium spots.
Natosha Rogers, 25, a Team New Balance athlete, was the top American women’s finisher of the day placing seventh in 32:46.
The 2017 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K saw a record 8,602 finishers.
Top three male finishers:
1. Samuel Chelanga, 32, USA 28:21
2. Thomas Longosiwa, 35, Kenya 28:21
3. Stephen Sambu, 28, Kenya 28:31
Top three female finishers:
1. Mamitu Daska, 33, Ethiopia 31:37
2. Magdalyne Masai, 24, Kenya 31:44
3. Monicah Ngige, 23, Kenya 31:55
Weather: 41 degrees, 60 percent humidity, wind 6 miles per hour
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.