18-year-old Wanjiku wins women’s Fifth Season 8K

CEDAR RAPIDS - Abgael Wanjiku took first place in the women's Fifth Season Health Solutions 8K Saturday with a time of 26:55 in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Wanjiku was born in Kenya and races out of Lansing, Mich. Her coach, Owen Anderson, spoke for her after the race.

'We've had other athletes run this before and know it to be a good race,” Anderson said. It's a good opportunity for Abigael.”

This was the 18-year-old's third race in the U.S. Her training is intensive, with runs twice a day and only one day off each week.

'It's lots of quality running,” Andersen said. 'She's working on her form, strength, and flexibility. She's a hard worker.”

Since she's such a young runner, Wanjiku is in the very early stages of her career. The Olympics and world championships are goals in mind, but she's primarily focused on winning road races.

'These goals will come in time as she gets faster,” Andersen said. 'She's a very versatile runner, running 5K, 8K, and 10K races.”

Wanjiku's next appearance will be on July 12 in Utica, N.Y. for the Boiler Maker 15K.

'It'll be a great race for her,” Andersen said. 'It'll be a great chance to run.”

Brooke Gambrall, 26, of Iowa City took home second place for the women in 27:46, while Gina Valgoi from St. Paul, Minn., in third. Valgoi, 24, was pleased with her time of 27:55.

'It's the first time I've run a race on the Fourth of July,” Valgoi said, 'which is crazy considering how many races I've done.”

This was her first Fifth Season race. She admired the hard work and tradition of the longstanding race.

'With it being its 30th year, there's a lot of tradition here and a lot of great runners,” Valgoi said. 'It's nice to do something with so many people celebrating our country. It was nice to get to do something I love.”

Behind Valgoi were Pauline Mutwa and Cynthia Bulbul in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Mutwa, 25, finished in 28:03, and Bulbul, 19, finished in 28:14. Both are originally from Kenya and live in Coon Rapids, Minn.