by Larry EderLawrence Kimaiyo and Helen Mugo destroyed the course records at the 89th Kosice Marathon, the oldest continuously run marathon in Europe. A busy weekend for marathons.
COURSE RECORDS: 2:07:01 AND 2:29:59
KOSICE (SVK, Oct 7): It was a day with records in nearly ideal weather conditions (15 degrees, cloudy, no wind, only slight rain). The 89th edition of the oldest marathon in Europe, the International Peace Marathon, saw both course records and new participation record achieved (7400 in all races from 46 countries). Some 30 000 around the streets of this Eastern Slovakian City were satisfied. Top four men went under the previous course record (2:08:33 Gilbert Chepkwony in 2010) with fast finishing (started after 36 km) Lawrence Kimaiyo. The 2:11:46 runner from his only marathon in Torino 2010 and after injury problems returned to the scene with incredible personal best 2:07:01 (nearly identical halves 1:03:54 and 1:03:57). „Im very satisfied with my personal best and course record. My feelings were great from the beginning, we also had here in Kosice top weather for marathon running. I believed I could be the winner. I was preparing for this race since January,” said Kimaiyo. Pacemakers Peter Wanjiru and Richard Sigei helped until 30 km. Evans Ruto who was considered a favorite before the race was for some time with Kimaiyo on top after 30 km but lost the battle for second by 0.02. Kimaiyo won the first place bonus including record 15 000 E. In case of sub 2:07 it would be 20 000 E. In dramatic finish Philemon Baaru improved to 2:07:49 over Ruto also officially 2:07:49, for both personal bests. Baaru had 2:09:51 from last year Porto win and Ruto 2:08:36 from Cologne 2009. Last year winner Elijah Kemboi was fourth but with more than 3 minutes improvement from 2:11:15 to 2:07:51. Personal best also for fifth Bellor Yator 2:08:39, sixth Vincent Kiplagat clocked 2:09:30 (missed his PB by 8 seconds) and seventh David Toniok also PB 2:10:39. Best from Ethiopians was Belete Gezu as 8th in 2:13:16. It was new record for Kosice with six sub 2:10 runners in one competition and jubilee 10th Kenyan male win here. Kenyan 2:27 runner Hellen Mugo fulfilled her favorite role, but started very fast with 1:12:12 half-marathon. That was clear for first ever sub 2:30 by a woman in Slovakia. At the end she faded (between 35-40 km 19:08 split, second half 1:17:47) but managed exactly what was needed with 2:29:59 (former course record was 2:30:50). Her first place and record prize money was 10 000 E. „I felt excellent that is why I started fast. Despite being tired at the end I was confident about win and new record. It was not that tough for me,” said Mugo. Second last year winner Maryna Damantsevich of Belarus with more equal pace (1:14:58 and 1:16:31) new lifetime best 2:31:29. Third Ethiopian Ehitu Kiros Reda also got PB 2:33:43. Slovak national titles for Jozef Urban (overall 11th, 2:25:34) and Ingrid Petnuchova (overall 5th, 2:55:58). Slovak best walker and London 50 km 8th placer Matej Toth competed in half-marathon but only jogged with 1:42:36.
Results
men
1.Lawrence Kimaiyo, KEN, 2:07:01 CR, PB, 15 000 E
2.Philemon Baaru, KEN, 2:07:49, PB, 5500 E
3.Evans Ruto, KEN, 2:07:49 PB, 3500 E
4.Elijah Kemboi, KEN, 2:07:51 PB, 2500 E
5.Bellor Yator, KEN, 2:08:39 PB, 1000 E
6.Vincent Kiplagat, KEN, 2:09:30, 600 E
7.David Toniok, KEN, 2:10:39 PB, 500 E
8.Gezu Belete, ETH, 2:13:16, 400 E
9.Mehari Baraki, ETH, 2:16:40, 300 E
10.Peter Kurui, KEN, 2:18:38, 200 E
women
1.Hellen Mugo, KEN, 2:29:59 CR, 10 000 E
2.Maryna Damantsevich, BLR, 2:31:29 PB, 2500 E
3.Ehitu Reda, ETH, 2:33:43 PB, 1500 E
4.Natalya Malaya, UKR, 2:53:46, 1000 E
5.Ingrid Petnuchova, SVK, 2:55:58, 500 E
6.Patricia Ganovska, SVK, 3:04:11, 300 E
OTHER MARATHONS
BILA TSERKVA (UKR, Oct 7): National Ukrainian Champion and winner of 9th Marathon in Bila Tserkva became Igor Olefirenko. The 22-years old runner improved his PB from March 2012 almost by 6 minutes to 2:14:56, the top European time 2012 in the U23 category. Second was Vasyl Remshchuk 2:15:34 ahead of Oleksiy Rybalchenko 2:17:53. Women’s race won Svitlana Stanko 2:39:47. Kateryna Karmanenko was second 2:41:09 and third – Tetyana Rybalchenko 2:41:28. Fastest among U23 women in her debut marathon race was the 20-years old Viktoria Khapilina 2:42:42.
BUCURESTI (ROU, Oct 7): Kenyan Felix Kangogo won the Bucuresti Marathon in 2:15:19 ahead of another Kenyan Amos Choge 2:18:49. Ethiopian Almaz Negede was the top woman in 2:38:09 beating Kenyan Mary Ptikany 2:40:00 and best home runner Paula Todoran 2:48:20.
VERONA (ITA, Oct 7): Also at 11th Verona Marathon Kenyan wins. In the men category Kiprotich Kirui 2:11:34 beating Victor Kiprono 2:13:38. Women winner Everline Nyamu achieved 2:42:41.
BREGENZ (AUT, Oct 7): Sparkassen Marathon at „Bodensee” through 3 countries winner Titus Kosgei achieved 2:14:25 ahead of Robert Kipkoech 2:18:29. Ednah Kimaiyo was the top woman in 2:35:27 beating Lucy Wambui 2:40:14 and Swiss Astrid Muller 2:54:13.
BRUSSELS (BEL, Oct 7): Kenyan Joash Mutai won the Brussels Marathon in 2:16:41 ahead of his team-mate Noah Kosgei 2:19:23. Dutch Claire Macht was the top woman in 3:06:15.
BUDAPEST (HUN, Oct 7): Gabor Jozsa in 2:21:06 and Timea Merenyi with 2:49:30 won the 27th Budapest Marathon which registered in all races 19 200 participants, new record for Hungary.
OTHER RESULTS
BREDA (NED, Oct 7): New course record for Philip Langat 1:01:15 at the Breda Singelloop in the half maraton. Second Kennedy Kimutai 1:01:08 and third Charles Cheruiyot 1:01:12. Best Dutch Khalid Choukoud fast 1:02:53. Kenyan domination also in women race for Monica Jepkoech 1:10:21 and Josephine Chepkoech 1:10:42 with Rebecca Chesir third 1:10:45. Best home runner here Mariska Kramer 1:15:58.
NANCY (FRA, Oct 7): Kenyan Alfred Cherop won the Nancy Grand Half Marathon in 1:01:58 ahead of Lawrence Rotich 1:02:37. Margaret Wathera as the best woman achieved 1:13:41. National titles for Jean-Claude Niyonzigiye of Burundi 1:05:35 and Fatima Klilech-Fauvel 1:15:35.
IBIZA (ESP, Oct 6): Cuban Maury Castillo won the 29th road mile here in 4:22 ahead of Serbian Goran Nava also 4:22. Khadija Rahmouni was the best woman in 5:21.
ROAD TOWN (BVI, Oct 6): Dominican Republic nationals Jose Rubiera and Jaisa Sanchez picked up their second NACAC 10K Series victories with blistering times during Saturday’s leg in the British Virgin Islands. Rubiera led from start to finish for the fastest 10K time ever run in the territory, when he covered the course in 32:06. Sanchez like Rubiera who earned a trip to Antigua and Barbuda for the series’ third leg on Oct 28, shook off last year’s winner Ruth Ann David from the U.S. Virgin Islands’ at the four kilometer mark, to win in 39:54.
COPENHAGEN (DEN, Oct 6): At International 50 km walk win for Poland´s Adrian Blocki 3:54:41 ahead of Damian Blocki 3:55:51. Third Hĺvard Haukenes achieved 3:56:38, new Norwegian u23 record.
SAD NEWS
SYDNEY (AUS): The 1982 Stawell Gift winner Chris Perry died suddenly on Friday from a suspected heart attack at the relatively young age of 53. Perry was amongst the ‘professional’ athletes to compete in the new open athletics of the mid 1980’s. Perry finished 2nd in both 1986 and 1987 Australian Championships and was selected for the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Perry ran a pb of 10.34 in his heat of the British AAA’s 100m but sustained an injury which prevented him being at his best in Edinburgh where he was last in his semi in 11.03.
