Mathew Kimeli of Kenya and Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia Claim Today's Top Spots at the 15th Annual UAE Healthy Kidney 10K
New York, April 28, 2019 – Ethiopian athlete, Mathew Kimeli, won the 15th annual UAE Healthy Kidney 10K on Sunday, April 9, in Central Park in 27:45. Senbere Teferi, of Ethiopia, finished first for the women with a time of 30:59, breaking the previous course record of 31:17, set in 2014 by Joyce Chepkirui.
Kimeli, who owns the second fastest UAE Healthy Kidney 10K performance of all time with his runner-up performance at the 2018 edition of the race in 27:19, led the field from the start. Ethiopia’s Girma Bekele Gerba placed second with a time of 28:07, and Kenya’s Edwin Kibichiy placed third with a time of 28:21.
In her NYRR race debut, Teferi finished in record fashion nearly one minute ahead of Kenya’s Monicah Ngige who finished second with a time of 31:52. Rounding out the women’s podium was 2018 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K champion Buze Diriba of Ethiopia, placing third in a time of 32:20.
Both Kimeli and Teferi received a $10,000 prize for taking the top podium spots.
Following today’s podium finishers was a field of 7,696 runners, breaking the 100,000-finisher mark in the event’s 15year history.
The UAE Healthy Kidney 10K is one of seven races – from the mile to the marathon – organized by New York Road Runners, which features invited professional athlete fields and makes up the NYRR Pro Racing Series. The NYRR Pro Racing Series also includes the NYRR Wanamaker Mile, United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR New York Mini 10K, New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, and the TCS New York City Marathon.
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. This year, for the 15th running of the race, the UAE Embassy pledged to donate $5 to the National Kidney Foundation for every registrant in this year’s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K.