Kenyan riders find it hard to tackle tricky coastal trails
Sports
By
Maarufu Mohamed
| Aug 25, 2025
Cyclists during the launch of Loop Safari Gravel Series season 2 at KFEET Grounds, Karura Forest, Kiambu county, on January 25, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Kenyan riders still have a long way to go, if they are to find tricks on how to tackle the stunning yet demanding coastal trails at the Loop Safari Gravel Series Vipingo Baobab Ridge tracks in Kilifi County.
But the Ugandan duo of Jordan Schleck and Mary Aleper seemed to have learned the art quite well after they overcame all odds to defend their 120km race title in the men and women categories respectively at this year's series.
This was the third win for the 22-year-old Schleck this year to bring his total record victories to five out of the eight races held so far since the inception of the Series last year.
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Schleck braced the hot and ragged terrain to clock an impressive 4:28:47 to clinch the victory ahead of his compatriot Lawrence Lorot (4:40:03) and Kenneth Karaya (4:45:00), who finished second and third, respectively.
Schleck termed the race a tough one saying; “It was not an easy outing. The terrain was very tough, but I am very happy to have won today to defend my title in this leg. I thrive well in sunny places, so I knew I had to win the race because I have been training well,” Schleck said.
His compatriot Aleper crossed the finish line first in the women’s elite 120km race, clocking 5:48:46, followed by Grace Kaviro, who timed 5:51:09, as Kendra Masiga (6:40:32) finished third.
“I am happy to have defended my title at Vipingo. It was not an easy course, but I had prepared well for it. After finishing third in Tatu City, and fifth in Machakos, I knew that I had to train more to win in Vipingo. It’s humbling to come all the way from Uganda and win," said Aleper.
The top five in the elite 120-kilometre race, both men and women were awarded cash prizes of Sh20,000, Sh15,000, Sh10,000, Sh7,000, and Sh5,000, respectively.
In the team category, Black Mamba emerged victorious, taking home Sh125,000, while Ariya Finergy Solar Vortex and Joy Riders secured second and third places with prizes of Sh100,000 and Sh70,000, respectively.