The track season ended less than two weeks ago, and the road racing Fall season is in full bloom. In the next five weeks, two more Marathon Majors (Bank of America Chicago, Oct. 7) and ING NYCM (Nov. 4) plus BMW Franfurt (Oct. 28). Here is the round up from this past weekend, courtesy of our friend, Alfons Juck.
G. MUTAI GOES 2:04:15 AHEAD OF KIMETTO 2:04:16
BERLIN (GER, Sep 30): Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya reestablished his claim to be the world’s best marathoner. He won the 39th BMW Berlin Marathon in world leading 2:04:15, narrowly beating his training partner, Dennis Kimetto, who clocked the fastest marathon debut in history, 2:04:16. Another Kenyan debutant, 19 year old Geofrey Kipsang (but will be 20 in November) was third in 2:06:12. Best European was German Jan Fitschen as 14th in lifetime best 2:13:10. Aberu Kebede of Ethiopia won the women’s race for second time after 2010 in 2:20:30 and improved her best from this year Dubai (5th) by 3 seconds. Second her colleague and Paris 2012 winner Tirfi Tsegaye, 2:21:19 PB. Olena Shurhno of Ukraine was third as best European in national record 2:23:32. Top six went under 2:30 in around 10 degrees and sunny weather. Fourth Flomena Chepchirchir of Kenya 2:24:56 ahead of Ethiopian Vienna 2012 winner Fate Tola 2:25:14 PB and Russian Alevtina Biktimirova 2:28:45. Best German as 8th Anne Hahner 2:30:37 in her second marathon. Mutai is already now confirmed World Marathon Majors winner 2011/12. In total 40 987 runners from 125 countries took part. With the help from Pat Butcher.
E. KIPYEGO AND WUDE
NEW DELHI (IND, Sep 30): A raising mercury level considerably affected the performance and winning ambitions in the eighth edition of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon held this morning. This season’s World leader Atsedu Tsegaye also did not escape from the scorching heat of the sun and finished outside the top-20 in the men’s race. As much as 31,746 runners took the Delhi roads on Sunday morning, taking part in various categories, and the winners in elite category received a prize purse of USD 25,000 each. Edwin Kipyego was the top male runner in 1:00:55 ahead of Leonard Langat 1:01:07 and Silas Kipruto 1:01:57. Best Ethiopian Yemane Tsegaye was 6th in 1:02:47 ahead of Lelisa Desisa 1:02:50. World medalist Ayalew Wude won the women category in 1:11:10 beating Waganesh Amare 1:11:12 and Helah Kiprop 1:11:18. From top names Olympic 5th placer at 10 000 m Belaynesh Oljira finished 6th in 1:12:16 and last year Boston winner Caroline Kilel 8th (1:13:26). With the help from Murali Krishnan.
FAST LEL 1:01:28, T. BEKELE DEBUTED 1:02:59
LISBON (POR, Sep 30): Former London Marathon winner Martin Lel pulled away at 2 km to go and won the Rock´n´Roll Half-Marathon of Portugal in 1:01:28. Second Albert Matebor 1:01:38 and third Titus Masai 1:01:49. London 10 000 m bronze medalist Tariku Bekele debuted at the distance with 1:02:59 as 6th. Best home runner Hermano Ferreira was 9th in 1:04:52. World and olympic silver winner Priscah Jeptoo was the top woman in 1:10:32 beating Margaret Muriuki 1:11:28 and best Portugal runner Dulce Felix 1:12:12 ahead of 2004 olympic marathon winner Mizuki Noguchi of Japan 1:12:20.
OTHER ROAD RESULTS
VERSAILLES (FRA, Sep 30): Ethiopian Zawude Tebalu won the classic Paris-Versailles road race in 47:01 one second ahead of his team-mate Birhanu Gebru (47:02). Third was Kenyan Mukundi Mwangi 47:06. Cynthia Jerotich in 54:58 was the best woman ahead of her team-mates Gladys Kipsoi 55:07 and Sarah Chepchirchir 55:36.
UTRECHT (NED, Sep 30): Kenyan Charles Cheruiyot won the Singelloop of Utrecht in close finish with 28:22 at 10 km. He was followed by other Kenyans Philip Langat and Wilfred Murgor, both also 28:22. Ukrainian I
