Chager, who competed with his daughter Kareen as co-driver, welcomed the rising standard of competition despite being beaten by the younger drivers.

Kiriago won the approximately 16km uphill-and-downhill race in 1:11:24, beating American Mason Coppi by 19 seconds, while Canada’s Remi Leroux finished third in 1:13:21.

In the women’s race, Omare broke away from the leading group at around the 17km mark before powering home to victory.

The two-time Olympic champion, aged 41, shaved two seconds off the previous course record of 2:09:12 set by fellow Kenyan Timothy Ronoh in 2022.

Njagu secured the overall title on countback, while Maina took the men’s winner award.

The opening heats proved challenging for the Kenyan team, with Imbayi failing to finish Heat 1A after a technical problem with his arrive-and-drive kart provided by Worr Motorsports

, Mwangi attributed the achievement to investments in sports infrastructure and efforts to strengthen Kenya’s sporting ecosystem.

AFC Leopards patron Alexander Muteshi and club chairman Boniface Ambani attended the event alongside other football personalities.

Ruto made the announcement on Thursday, saying the iconic rally would once again roar through Kenya’s plains, valleys and the roads around Naivasha.

Their victory earned them the grand prize of a fully paid trip to South Africa for a race experience.