by Larry Eder
Sammy Wanjiru, 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The Bank of America Chicago marathon had two great stories: Wanjiru’s determined battle with Kebede over every step of the marathon course. Shobukhova’s brilliantly tactical race, where she raced past Baysa between 30-35k, and set a new Russian national record!
The media finally got the idea of the $500,000 prize, as Wanjiru and Kebede battled over the last three kilometers of the marathon course! As Virgin Marathon race director David Bedford noted, ” If all the races were this exciting, fans would get our sport!”
Shobukhova Wraps Up World Marathon Major Win with Victory at Bank of America Chicago Marathon Wanjiru Races to Victory; All but Ensures World Marathon Major Title
CHICAGO, October 10, 2010- Liliya
Shobukhova set a new Russian women’s marathon record when she finished
in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 25 seconds taking home the Bank of American
Chicago Marathon victory and the World Marathon Major Title. In the
men’s race, Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya finally broke away from Tsegaye
Kebede of Ethiopia just after mile 26 to win by 19 seconds in 2:6:24.
At the beginning of the day, Wanjiru and
Kebede each had 50 points in the World Marathon Major standings. After
staying close throughout the race, Wanjiru and Kebede ran side-by-side
and traded off the lead at mile 26, before Wanjiru surged to the front
and never looked back. His strong finish gave Wanjiru 25 points,
bringing his total up to 75 and the lead with only one event, the ING
New York City Marathon, remaining in the series. Kebede’s second-place
finish (2:06:43) gave him 15 points, bringing his total to 65. The only
opportunity for Wanjiru to be defeated would be for Kebede to make a
quick recovery to run New York, and finish second or better.
In the women’s race, Shobukhova took
hold of the lead around the 35K mark and did not face any competition
the rest of the race, with Astede Baysa of Ethiopia finishing second,
over three minutes behind. In addition to a personal best and the
Russian women’s marathon record, the victory gave her an additional 25
points in the World Marathon Major standings, bringing her total to 85
and guaranteeing her the title and $500,000 purse.
The top five men and women finishers at the
Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York World Championships and
Olympic Marathons will earn points in a $1 million two-year series to
crown the World Marathon Majors champion. The 2009-10 series will
conclude at the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 7. The
men’s and women’s champions will both win $500,000. The points breakdown
is 1st -25, 2nd-15, 3rd-10, 4th-5 and 5th -1.
The current 2009-2010 World Marathon Major standings are:
Men
Place Name Country Point Total
1 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 75
2 Tesgaye Kebede ETH 65
3 Deriba Merga ETH 35
3 Emmauel Mutai KEN 35
5 Jaouad Gharib MOR 30
Women
Place Name Country Point Total
1 Liliya Shobukhova RUS 85
2 Irina Mikitenko GER 41
3 Salina Kosgei KEN 36
4 Teyba Erkesso ETH 30
5 Xue Bai CHN 25
5 Bezunesh Bekele ETH 25
5 Atsede Habtamu ETH 25
5 Aberu Kebede ETH 25
5 Derartu Tulu ETH 25
