by Larry EderLets see, at Fortis Rotterdam, Duncan Kibet just nudges his training partner James Kwambai in 2:04:27! In Paris, 12 runners under 2:10, with Vincent Kipruto running a surprising 2:05:47, with twelfth place in 2:09:13! Marathon geek mania! Consider this, Patrick Makau, in his debut, ran 2:06:14 for fourth place in Rotterdam, not a bad run. The marathon performances continue to improve and astound fans around the world!
Picture of Patrick Makau, shown from his win at RAK half marathon. Makau debuted at Fortis Rotterdam in fourth with a fine 2:06:14. The race was won by Duncan Kibet in 2:04:27, just a step infront of his training partner, James Kwambai! Photo by Photorun.net.
ROAD NEWS
Kipruto new course record 2:05:47
PARIS (FRA, Apr 5): New course record at 33rd Paris Marathon. Kenyan Vincent Kipruto wearing number nine who did not belong to main favorites won in excellent 2:05:47. The 22 years old runner improved dramatically his previous best 2:08:16 from Reims last year in his only second known marathon. Former course record was 2:06:33 by Mike Rotich who won in 2003. “I knew in my mind that I could do under 2:06, “ he was quoted. Former World junior medalist on track (2004) Ethiopian Bazu Worku debuted with high quality 2:06:15 as second and third last year Reims winner David Kiyeng of Kenya also improved to 2:06:26. Top six clocked sub 2:07 with second in Marrakesh this year Ethiopain Yemane Adhane another great PB 2:06:30 as fourth, Morrocan Rachid Kisri also clocked life-time best as fifth 2:06:48 and Kenyan favorite David Mandago as sixth registered another PB 2:06:53. Another Kenyan Jonathan Kipkorir as seventh with 2:07:31 got another in series of personal bests. It is also best ever time for seventh position. Best ever eight placer time is the 2:08:11 for Shadrack Kiplagat and best ever for ninth the 2:08:12 of John Komen. Paris marathon confirmed the record depth as 2:08:38 for Daniel Kiprugut Too is the best ever for position number 10 and 2:08:43 of Abraham Chelanga the best ever for 11th place. Francis Kibiwott in his debut as 12th achieved the best time for this position 2:09:13 and equaled the best ever Paris with 12 runners sub 2:10 what is “unofficial world record“ in this statistical data. Also best ever times for positions 14-17. Best French runner James Theuri (former Kenyan) as 14th in 2:10:39 PB was also the best European ahead of Russian Mikhail Lemayev with 2:10:51 PB. Best Rwandan athlete Dieudonne Disi debuted as 18th with 2:12:51. The runner with number 1 home Driss El Himer was 23rd in 2:16:39 with total of 28 runners sub 2:20. Olympic 2004 medalist Vanderlei Lima of Brasil was 30th just outside this mark 2:20:31.
Istanbul 2007 winner Ethiopian Atsede Bayisa was the best woman in 2:24:42 (fourth best ever winning time in Paris) what is great PB for her (previously 2:29:08). Her team-mate and World half-marathon medalist Aselefech Mergia debuted on high level as second (2:25:02) and third Christelle Daunay (34) of Marseille improved her own French record 2:28:24 in Osaka last year to 2:25:44. It was her fourth marathon and the time is European leading of the year. Another three African runners clocked under 2:30. Ethiopian debutant Ashu Kasim 2:25:49, best Kenyan Julia Muraga (2:29:10) and last year second Worknesh Tola of Ethiopia (2:29:26). In total 27 runners clocked sub 3 hours. 37 000 runners from 94 countries participated in ideal weather (13 degrees) and before 200 000 spectators.
Kibet and Kwambai third and fourth fastest ever 2:04:27
ROTTERDAM (NED, Apr 5): Third and fourth fastest times ever were recorded at 29th Fortis Rotterdam Marathon. Kenyan Duncan Kibet as winner and his team-mate James Kwambai achieved both 2:04:27 (also world leading) as first and second. The former course record at Coolsingel was 2:05:49 by William Kipsang in last year. Only Haile Gebrselassie with his two world records in Berlin 2007 (2:04:26) and 2008 (2:03:59) was ever faster. For 30 years old Kibet this was only his third marathon after running last year 2:08:33 in Vienna in April and 2:07:53 in November in Milano. Favorite James Kwambai who achieved last year in Berlin 2:05:36 behind Gebre was leading most of the final part of the race, but Kibet had slightly more power in last metres. For both also a new Kenyan record. Third Abel Kirui improved to 8th fastest ever 2:05:04 and fourth Patrick Makau debuted with excellent 2:06:15 as fourth. He also equaled the best ever mark for fourth place of another Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai who also clocked 2:06:15 as fourth last year in London. The best ever marks for places 2-3. In ideal conditions and temperatures around 10 degrees the course confirmed its qualities, in total 18 000 runners were registered. Last year Istanbul winner Russian Nayla Yulamanova won the women race in her first sub 2:30 (2:26:30) ahead of Kenyan Lydia Cheromei who achieved 2:28:09 with third Romanian Adriana Pirtea already way back in 2:36:36. It is only second Russian winner in the history of the event after Lyubov Morgunova last year.
OTHER RESULTS
BERLIN (GER, Apr 5): German runner Sabrina Mockenhaupt from Koln gave the spectators in Berlin a home win as she was best during 29th Berlin Half-marathon in women category with new PB 1:08:45. Only Briton Mara Yamauchi was this year faster among European runners with 1:08:29. Second and third as expected Kenyans Hellen Kimutai (1:09:27) and Lydia Njeri (1:10:08). World CC bronze medalist 2007 in Mombasa Bernard Kipyego debuted at the distance with 59:34 win. Sammy Kosgei was second (59:36) and favorite Wilson Kipsang third (59:38). In total 25 193 participants in ideal 13 degrees temperature in different races and categories what is a new record (last year 24 551).
MILANO (ITA, Apr 5): Kenyans dominated in the 38th Stramilano Half-marathon. Favorite Paul Kimaiyo Kimugul won in 1:01:03 ahead of Barnabas Kosgei (1:01:25) and Nicholas Kamakya (1:01:35). Best Italian Daniele Meucci was fifth (1:02:56). In women race a surprise win for Ethiopian Shewaye Kebede who improved to 1:08:43 course record (1:08:58 Aniko Kalovics in 2007) ahead of Kenyan Peninah Arusei (1:08:47). Hungarian former three time winner Aniko Kalovics was third (1:12:33) and best Italian Bruna Genovese fourth (1:12:44).
DUBLIN (IRL, Apr 5): Unexpectedly, the third behind, was the winner of Great Ireland Run 10 km. Legendary Paul Tergat of Kenya was second in 28:46 and home favorite Martin Fagan third (28:47) because the winner was Portugal´s Rui Pedro Silva in 28:45. US Andrew Carlson was close fourth (28:48). Also in women category win for Portugal as Ana Dulce Felix got 32:18 ahead of Irish Euroindoor medalist Mary Cullen (32:25) and Latvian marathon runner Jelena Prokopcuka (32:30). Kenyan Sally Barsosio fourth (33:04) ahead of former track olympic gold medalist Fernanda Ribeiro of Portugal (33:42).
MADRID (ESP, Apr 5): Ethiopian wins at the Madrid Half-marathon. Kabtamu Reta was the best man in 1:03:33 PB and Asefa Asefelech in the women category in 1:13:46 PB. In total 12 000 runners participated. Best Spanish runners were Antonio Nunez as 5th (1:06:25) and Beatriz Ros who is in preparation for Hamburg marathon as third (1:14:22).
BARCELONA (ESP, Apr 5): High quality 27:32 10 km road race by Kiprono Menjo of Kenya. He won with that time the Bombers 10 km of Barcelona. Second in 11th edition of the race was home former European champion Chema Martinez (28:40) ahead of Kenyan Peter Bomo (29:01). Another top home runner Jesus Espana was fifth (29:49) with Portugal´s Helder Ornelas sixth (30:22). Women winner Ethiopian Harun Makda with 32:39 beat Portugal´s Jessica Augusto (32:53).
SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO (ITA, Apr 5): Kenyan Abraham Kipkemei clocked 1:03:25 to win the 11th Fiori Half-marathon.
ROMA (ITA, Apr 5): Julius Too Kipkurgat won with 37:16 the first leg of Gazzetta Run the 11th Appia Run at 10.5 km with 37:16. Asmae Ghizlane was the best woman (44:05). 3000 runners participated.
BRATISLAVA (SVK, Apr 5): In Hungary living Ethiopian Feyissa Mossissa won the 62nd National Run Devin-Bratislava, the oldest running event in Slovakia. At 11.625 km he clocked 35:10 and missed the course record of Miroslav Vanko by 18 seconds. Vanko (former six-times winner) was second (35:16) beating Jakub Burghardt of Poland (35:23). Last weekend Bratislava Half-marathon winner Ashenafi Erkolo (another Ethiopian living in Hungary) was fourth (35:29). It was the first ever African win here. Female winner Zuzana Novackova registered third triumph here after 42:44. In total 2948 participanst in all races, the fifth highest number in the history of the event.
NASAVRKY (CZE, Apr 5): Kenyans dominated the 15 km road race in Nasavrky, Czech Republic part of Czech Running Cup. Damian Paul Chopa clocked 46:05 ahead of Wilson Chemweno (46:25) and Tanzanian Pascal Mombo (46:42). Fourth best European Aleksandr Barbaryka of Ukraine (47:24) with Poland´s Adam Draczynski fifth (48:34) and best Czech runner Robert Stefko sixth (50:13). Women home win for Petra Kaminkova after 55:46 beating Poland´s Dorota Ustianowska (57:38).
Special thanks to Alfons Juck, EME News.
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