Benson Masya

Benson Masya (May 14, 1970 – September 24, 2003) was a Kenyan long-distance runner and marathon specialist, who competed in the late 1980s and 1990s. He participated at the inaugural IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 1992 and finished in first place.

Masya was a Kamba by ethnicity.^[1]

Initially he was a boxer attached to Kenyan postal service before concentrating on running.^[2] He won the Great North Run a record four times; in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996. He also won the City-Pier-City Loop half marathon in the Hague twice in 1993 and 1994.^[3]

His career as a top runner came to a premature end. The Portsmouth 10 Mile race in 1996 was among his last notable achievements. His reveller lifestyle may have contributed to deteriorating performances.^[4] Masya died in September 2003, aged 33, after a period of illness. At his death, he was accompanied by his friend Cosmas Ndeti. Masya was buried in Kitui.^[5]

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Kenya
1991	Honolulu Marathon	Honolulu, Hawaii	1st	Marathon	2:18:24
1992	World Half Marathon Championships	Newcastle, United Kingdom	1st	Half marathon	1:00:24
	Honolulu Marathon	Honolulu, Hawaii	1st	Marathon	2:14:19
1993	City-Pier-City Loop	The Hague, Netherlands	1st	Half Marathon	1:00:24
1994	City-Pier-City Loop	The Hague, Netherlands	1st	Half Marathon	1:02:00
	Honolulu Marathon	Honolulu, Hawaii	1st	Marathon	2:15:04
1997	Stockholm Marathon	Stockholm, Sweden	1st	Marathon	2:17:22

References

• Benson Masya profile at IAAF

1. IAAF, December 12, 2008: Inseparable! Jimmy Muindi and the Honolulu Marathon
2. icNewcastle: October 9, 2003: Void left as GNR legend Masya dies at just 33
3. City-Pier-City Half Marathon - List of winners
4. Honolulu Star, December 4, 2006: Lifestyle and illness felled Honolulu Marathon winner
5. Honolulu advertiser, September 30, 2003: 3-time marathon champion dead at 33