Kenyan athletes clinched crowns in the 45th Istanbul Marathon, the world’s only intercontinental run, on Sunday.

Beatrice Cheptoo was victorious in the women's category and Panuel Mkungo came first in the men's category.

Cheptoo took first place with 2 hours, 27 minutes and 9 seconds on the 42-kilometer track.

In women's category, the runner-up and third-place contender were also both Kenyan athletes. Veronicah Njeri Maina came second as she clocked 2 hours, 27 minutes and 24 seconds, while Valentina Mateiko came third when she completed the race in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 15 seconds.

In men's category, Mkungo won the race with 2 hours, 10 minutes and 35 seconds.

Like in women's category, Kenyan athletes also shined in men's as the runner-up and third-place contender were also both Kenyans.

Benard Cheruiyot Sang came second with 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 41 seconds, while James Kiplagat came third with 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 44 seconds.

The marathon, which is sponsored by Türkiye's Is Bank, kicked off at 9 a.m. (0600GMT) on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, approximately 250 meters (820 feet) before the July 15 Martyrs Bridge toll booths.

Istanbul Marathon, which is the world's only intercontinental run, and is in the "Gold Label" category of the World Athletics Association, was held for the 45th time in its history. - Mucahit Huseyin Erogul, Anadolu Agency

NJERU, Uganda, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's JKT Queens on Wednesday defeated Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 5-4 on penalties in the final of the CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers for the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone.

After a goalless 120 minutes of play, JKT Queens beat the Ethiopian side on penalties to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2023 CAF Women's Champions League slated in Cote d'Ivoire.

"I am very happy that we are champions and will play in the CAF Women's Champions League. The players have worked hard because we won all our matches in the competition," JKT Queens coach Esther Fredy Chaburuma said after the game.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia coach Birhanu Gizaw Heye rued his players' profligacy in front of goal. "We had some good chances but failed to score. We shall come back next time," he said.

In the play-off, Burundi's Buja Queens beat 2021 winners Vihiga Queens of Kenya 1-0 to settle for a bronze medal.

The competition attracted nine teams from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti and South Sudan. - Xinhua

KIGALI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The fourth edition of games for police institutions from eastern Africa kicked off Tuesday in Rwanda's capital city Kigali, aimed at fostering cooperation in fighting cross border crimes.

To run until March 27, the annual games are organized by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), a regional police body.

Major sports disciplines include football, handball, netball, volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, Karate, Taekwondo and boxing.

The games were organized under the theme: "Fostering Police cooperation in fighting transnational organized crimes through sports."

The week-long annual games returned after three years of suspension due to COVID-19.

The games will be played at 20 different sports grounds in Kigali and Bugesera District in eastern Rwanda, with the opening and closing ceremonies organized at the newly inaugurated Kigali Pele Stadium and BK Arena, respectively. - Xinhua