by Alfonz Juck
Memorial to the Kosice International Peace Marathon courtesy of Wikipedia Jerotich CR 2:27:34 in Kosice
KOSICE (SVK, Oct 1): Great atmosphere, results and participation at the 94th International Peace Marathon here. After fastest splits ever at half distance (63:40 by men and 73:03 by women) winning Sheila Jerotich improved not only her PB but also course record 2:27:47 from 2013 by 13 seconds to 2:27:34 (8000 euro prize money). “I will be back, I still feel I can run better on this course, next year I go for 2:25,” said Jerotich after her second marathon. Life-time best also for second placer Sheila Chepkoech 2:29:13, third experienced Emily Samoei in solid 2:31:17. Ethiopians followed with Worknesh Alemu 2:31:27 and still U20 runner Meseret Abebayehu 2:32:31. Debuting in Europe as 6th Tecla Kirong improved hugely to 2:32:46 and only 7th top favorite with best PB Janet Rono 2:34:06. Youngest from Kenyan elite group Reuben Kerio (23) made his break at 38th km and won in life-time best 2:08:12 (12 000 euro prize money), also third best winning mark here and 15th by a Kenyan. Male winner (in his third marathon) had the same feelings as women one, Kerio said he wants to be back and use the fast course to a sub 2:07 (course record 2:07:01 from 2012). Good depth as top seven went under 2:12, second Ethiopian Fikre Robi 2:08:36PB and third Richard Sigei 2:09:05, also sub 2:10 for two more Kenyans Henry Chirchir 2:09:42 and Raymond Choge 2:09:53. Great news for Slovak marathon running as Tibor Sahajda (26) hugely improved as 9th to 2:18:44. His best by nearly 5 minutes and first Slovak in last 11 years to break 2:20. He also qualified for European championships in Berlin as Slovak federation set a standard of 2:21. Behind him Jozef Urban also improved to 2:21:51, but missed the standard by 51 seconds. In excellent weather (10 degrees at start and 13 during elite finish, no wind and sun) the total participation in all races went close to 13 000, new record.
