Kenyans lead the way as Onduro takes 10K victory

A KENYAN-DOMINATED Swansea Bay 10k was won by Dominic Onduro in a time of 28.30 yesterday.

The African country supplied all of the top four runners, while Michael Skinner was the first British athlete past the post. Swansea Harriers Dewi Griffiths was the first Welshman.

Wet and windy weather made for testing conditions around the course, which finished on the seafront opposite St Helen's.

Ondoro Benson Oloisung'A was the early pace-setter in a fast race that saw the first four kilometres competed in 11.40 minutes.

By the halfway stage Bernard Rotich had moved to the front and clocked 14.25 minutes, which was inside race record pace.

Rotich remained in front at the six kilometre mark, 100m in front of Onduro, who was 20 metres ahead of Luke Rotich Lobiwan and Oloisung'A.

With the race entering the closing stages, Onduro broke clear from the rest of the field and established a 50-metre lead with one kilometre to go.

That had doubled by the finish as he came home in a personal best time, 28 seconds in front of Rotich (28.58).

Rotich Lobiwan finished in 29 minutes and Oloisung'A in 29.23.

"There was a strong wind which made things difficult," said 28-year-old Onduro.

"It was hard to run in the wind and the rain.

"This is the fastest I've ever run over 10k so I'm very happy.

"I had a lot of preparation for this race, I've done a lot of speed work."

Another Kenyan, Eunice Kales was the first woman to cross the line. She also clocked a new personal best after completing in 32.46 minutes.

Both her and Onduro are set to compete in the Bristol half marathon next weekend.

"The course was nice, the wind was the only problem," said the 26-year-old.

"I'm really happy.

"I was expecting to run a good time because the course is so flat.

"My PB was over 33 minutes so I was really pleased with my time."

Skinner finished in 30.21 after just nipping ahead of Griffiths in the home straight.

Neath Harrier Matthew Harvey finished 27th in a time of 32.50, while veteran Martin Rees of Swansea Harriers crossed in 33.41.

"I knew a couple of Kenyans were racing and there's no point trying to challenge them," said Griffiths.

"I tried to match myself against the best British guys and it nearly paid off.

"I got passed on the line by Skinner, but I'm happy with how it went. My plan was to stay in the pack and stay in contention with the British guys.

"The Kenyans will do a stupid kilometre and that messes you up.

"It's better to run a more even pace, try to stick with them and see what happens."

The 21-year-old from Llandeilo was on familiar turf as he studies maths at nearby Swansea University.

Griffiths now has the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow his sights.

"I ran the Great North the weekend before and probably went too fast, so I learned the hard way, I guess," he added.

"In the wind it's not a bad time, I didn't think I would be going so quick.

"It was horrible on the way back so I can't complain.

"I'm going to have a couple of easy weeks now.

"Medium term I'm looking at the Commonwealth Games and long term will depend on how I do there."