The Fortis Rotterdam Marathon course has had a reputation for being a fast course for most of its history. In 2010, Patrick Makau showed that the third time is a charm, with his masterful victory over the 26.2 mile course in a world leading 2:04:48, a personal best. Goeffrey Mutai ran with Makau through 38 kilometers and held on for a personal best of 2:04:55. In third, also in a personal best, was Vincent Kipruto, who finished in 2:05:15.
James Carney, a 10,000 meter specialist from the U.S., ran 2:15:50, in his second marathon,
with a personal best of 64 seconds (other Pb’s: 27:43 10k, 59:10, 20k, 1:02:21, 1/2 marathon).
Makau’s time is the FIFTH fastest performance in history! Per K. Ken Nakamura, one of our sports’ most respected marathon statisticians, Rotterdam now is, performance-wise, the fastest marathon course in the world!
On the women’s side, it was a day of huge upsets! Ethiopia’s Aberu Kebede won Rotterdam in 2:25:29, with Magdalena Lewy Boulet, of the U.S. in second, in a personal best of 2:26:22. In third was the celebrated Zhu XiaoLin of China, the pre-race favorite, who ran 2:29:42 for third place.
The following photo gallery, with photos courtesy of PhotoRun.net, celebrates the 2010
Fortis Rotterdam Marathon, originally appeared on www.runningnetwork.com:
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