by Alfonz Juck
Women elite, NYRR 5k dash, 2018, photo by PhotoRun.net
Here’s selected highlights of the marathon weekend of Dec. 7-8, 2019, by EME News.
rMARATHON RESULTS
GUANGZHOU (CHN Dec 8): Ethiopia’s Gebretsadik Adhana Abraha led seven runners under the race record with 2:08:04 in the Guangzhou Marathon. Thirteen seconds behind was Emmanuel Rutto Naibei of Kenya, with Mike Kiptum Boit clocking 2:08:58 for third. Hiwot Gebrekidan made it an Ethiopian 1-2 by taking the women’s race in a PB of 2:23:50, another race record. Kenya’s Celestine Chepchirchir pushed her until past the 25km mark before falling back to second and 2:27:10. China’s Zhang Meixia was third with a PB of 2:32:01. From Xinhua/IAAF.
SAITAMA (JPN, Dec 8): Former world half-marathon record-holder Peres Jepchirchir smashed her PB to win with 2:23:50 after moving clear at 30km in the Saitama Marathon. Fatuma Sado of Ethiopia was second in 2:26:45 with compatriot Belaynesh Oljira third in 2:27:11. Mariko Yugeta, 61, broke her own W60 world record with 2:56:54. No elite men’s field was assembled. From Japan Running News.
MUMBAI (IND, Dec 8): Mohit Rathore won the Indiabulls/Cigna Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon in 2:24:22 with Sukhdev Singh second in 2:31.42.
HONOLULU (USA, Dec 8): Kenya’s Titus Ekiru was the clear winner of the Honolulu Marathon and defended the title with 2:08:00. It was new course record worth of 50 000 USD in prize money and time bonuses at the 47th edition. Wilson Chebet was second in 2:13:14 with Edwin Kipngetich Koech making it a Kenyan one-two-three with 2:14:20. The women’s race was won by Kenya’s Margaret Muriuki in 2:31:10 PB ahead of compatriot Betsy Saina (2:31:51). USA’s Renee Metivier was next with 2:43:18, Olympic trials qualifier. In all, 19 427 runners crossed the starting line, plus another 5888 in the contemporaneous Start to Park 10-K. With the help from RRW.
SACRAMENTO (USA, Dec 8): Kenyan runners dominated the California International Marathon with Elisha Barno crossing the line first in 2:13:36 – four seconds in front of CJ Albertson. Patrick Smythe (2:13:48) was third. Jane Kibii was first woman with a PB of 2:29:31, ahead of Obsi Birru (2:30:25) as Meriah Earle made it a US one-two-three with 2:34:35.
MONTERREY (MEX, Dec 8): Fast 2:08:48 for Kenyan winner Evans Korir at the Monterrey Marathon in Mexico. Second Rodgers Ondati 2:14:56. In women category home win for Isabel Guadalupe Oropex in 2:40:39 ahead of Leah Jebiwot 2:40:46. From Carole Fuchs.
REGGIO EMILIA (ITA, Dec 8): Moroccan Youssef Sbaai won the Reggio Emilia marathon in 2:14:53, women win for Italian Teresa Montrone 2:39:17.
NARA (JPN, Dec 8): At the Nara Marathon, defending women’s champion and course record holder Haruka Yamaguchi returned from a 5th-place finish in 2:37:29 at last weekend’s Singapore Marathon and a 2:27:39 course record and PB at the Kobe Marathon two weeks before that to go for her third Nara title in course record 2:33:22. The third-fastest time of her career, Nara was Yamaguchi’s fourth win and seventh top five finish in her nine marathons this year. Men winner Yoshihiro Yamamoto clocked 2:21:22 to win. From Brett Larner.r
