Merga dominates, Kosgei edges Tune - Boston Marathon

20 April 2009 – Boston, USA – In contrasting styles, Deriba Merga and Salina Kosgei won their respective titles at the 113th BAA Boston Marathon.

The BAA Boston Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Just a year after Dire Tune won the Boston Marathon by two seconds over Alevtina Biktimirova, she was once again locked in a sprint battle down Boyleston Street for the Marathon victory. Unfortunately for Tune, that was the only similarity, as this time her opponent was Kosgei of Kenya, Tune was ultimately unable to defend her title, and this time the margin of victory was only one second. Kosgei won her first major Marathon (she had previously won in Singapore, Prague, and Paris) in 2:32:16, with Tune second in 2:32:17 and Kara Goucher 2:32:25 in third, reprising her ING New York City Marathon finish from last fall.

In the 21 runnings of the Boston Marathon since Ibrahim Hussein won Kenya's first title in 1988, Kenyans have won 16, with Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot winning the last three. Today, the best Kenya could manage was second, as Merga of Ethiopia stormed to victory in 2:08:42 to win his first major Marathon, breaking away at the very beginning of the hills which dominate the second half of Boston's point-to-point course and eventually building a fifty-second lead over Kenyan Daniel Rono, who finished second in 2:09:32. Rono was followed closely by Ryan Hall in 2:09:40, rounding out the highest combined male-female performance by the USA in over twenty years.

Merga's new patience pays off – Men’s race

Despite Merga's reputation as a front runner, it was Hall who set the opening pace, passing the first mile in 4:40. Through nine miles, Hall was a presence at the front as the pace hovered slightly below course-record pace. The pace relaxed progressively until 16 miles, where the hills began, with Merga seldom visible in the pack.

In 2006, Merga had covered a breakaway move in Boston and wound up walking in the last several miles, his bloody shoes in his hands. In 2008, Merga's dogged pursuit of Samuel Wanjiru in the Olympic Marathon led to him struggling in the closing stages and ultimately losing a medal on the track inside the Bird Cage. In 2009 the lesson apparently has been learned. Before the race, Merga told reporters that winning Boston was about being "the last lion standing".

Merga waited until 16 miles. At Newton Lower Falls, the lowest point on the course aside from the finish, Merga led a breakaway that shattered a 17-runner pack into individuals. Rono and Solomon Molla of Ethiopia tried to cover the move and for a mile or so the trio was nominally a lead pack, but Merga was in charge. Molla wound up fading to seventh. By the top of Heartbreak Hill, the race was essentially over.

Merga's race had followed a classic Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot blueprint, except that rather than chipping away at the pack he simply blew it to pieces. Cheruiyot himself was not so fortunate. By the second of the three hills, the defending champion was visibly suffering with a back issue, and later reports said he left the course before the 23 mile mark. (His namesake, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, finished fifth in 2:10:06, and training partner Evans Cheruiyot was eighth in 2:12:45.)

"At the beginning," said Merga, "I thought I would push at 35km. I looked around at 25km, and I thought there were a lot of strong athletes, and I thought I might not win if I didn't push from there."

"I didn't get what I needed at the Olympic Games," Merga explained, speaking both specifically of fluid on the course but more generally of goals reached and honours achieved. "At 40km I looked back, and there was nobody in sight of me. That's when I knew I would win. I know Robert Cheruiyot is a strong athlete, and when he did not come up on me after 30km, I thought maybe today was not his day."

Rono, for his part, was pleased with his second place performance. "We toured the course before the race, and I saw that the course is like life; at the end, there is a steep struggle. I thought the racing would start at halfway."

Hall, who owns the fastest PB in the field, said, "I felt like a rookie out there. I'm excited to come back and give it another try. I was trying to keep an eye on the guys up front, because staying positive is the biggest challenge for most of us."

Staying positive was less of a challenge for four-time winner and former course record holder Bill Rodgers, who started with a later wave of runners and finished in 4:06:49. Now 61, Rodgers started the Marathon for the first time since 1999.

Slow pace leaves a crowd in contention – women’s race

The women's winning time was the slowest since 1985 (coincidentally, also the last year an American woman won in Boston), and the slowest since the Marathon began awarding prize money in 1986. In the teeth of a brisk headwind from the start, pace lagged early, with the entire pack of professional women (who started 28 minutes before the open race) eyeing each other and refusing to take the pace on the downhill slope out of Hopkinton. Eventually the leading duties fell to the apparently ageless Colleen de Reuck, now 45 and running for the Masters (over-40) title. The first mile was a sluggish 6:28, the first 5km passed in 18:58, and things did not get faster.

The pace remained manageable for De Reuck as she continued to share the lead through eight miles, when she faded to the back of the huge lead pack for several miles (the leader at nine miles was Firya Sultanova-Zhdanova, the Masters course record holder). The pace was still not sufficient to drop her, as she returned to the front for the last time at 18 and 20 miles. De Reuck did end up winning the Masters division in 2:35:37, placing 8th overall and earning a $10,000 for the Masters win and $7,400 for the overall finish.

The hills in Boston begin at the 16 mile mark (shortly after the 25km marker) and continue through 21 miles (shortly before the 35km marker). The women continued their relaxed pace right through the hills, with Goucher finally taking over the lead at the crest of Heartbreak Hill, the last of three climbs in the series. After 21 miles averaging 5:57 miles, Goucher ran a 5:21 which reduced the pack, then 13 strong, to five.

Another acceleration at mile 23 (the athletes ran from 23 to 24 in 5:09) dropped Helena Kiprop and Bezunesh Bekele, leaving only Goucher, Tune and Kosgei. Goucher continued to lead, pushing hard to break away, until less than one kilometre remained.

When the three women made the short turn on Hereford Street before emerging on Boyleston to run for the finish, Tune and Kosgei began to separate themselves from Goucher. The pair crossed and re-crossed paths as they battled up Boyleston, but it was Kosgei who crossed the finish line first by a stride. Tune collapsed to the street, and was eventually carried off. (Tune was taken to a hospital but released shortly afterward.) Goucher finished just eight seconds behind Tune and nine behind Kosgei. Goucher's third-place finish was the best by an American woman since Kim Jones placed second in 1993.

"I didn't know how strong I was," said Kosgei of the sprint for the finish. "I finished first by chance. Before I was a marathoner, I was a sprinter, running the 800m and 400m. I've never run a slower race," she added. "The day was not bad, the problem was the wind."

Goucher added, "I thought I was going to have a kick. My legs were still poppy, I had some energy left." Goucher also admitted to missing one of her fluid bottles, even though she had worn gloves made for (American) football wide receivers, designed for good grip.

2009 Top Men Finishers 1. Deriba Merga ETH 2:08:42 2. Daniel Rono KEN 2:09:32 3. Ryan Hall USA 2:09:40 4. Tekeste Kebede ETH 2:09:49 5. Robert Cheruiyot KEN 2:10:06 6. Gashaw Asfaw ETH 2:10:44 7. Solomon Molia ETH 2:12:02 8. Evans Cheruiyot KEN 2:12:45 9. Stephen Kiogora KEN 2:13:00 10. Timothy Cherigat KEN 2:13:04

2009 Top Women Finishers
1.	Salina Kosgei	KEN	2:32:16
2.	Dire Tune	ETH	2:32:17
3.	Kara Goucher	USA	2:32:25
4.	Bezunesh Bekele	ETH	2:33:08
5.	Helena Kirop	KEN	2:33:24
6.	Lidiya Grigoryeva	RUS	2:34:20
7.	Atsede Habtamu	ETH	2:35:34
8.	Colleen S. De Reuck	USA	2:35:37
9.	Alice Timbilili	KEN	2:36:25
10.	Alina Ivanova	RUS	2:36:50

from the IAAF

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Kenyan and home victories as Vienna’s unique debutants’ race initiative proves a success

Vienna, Austria - Kenya’s Gilbert Kipruto Kirwa and Austria’s Andrea Mayr were the winners in the unique debutants only race at the Vienna City Marathon.

The Vienna City Marathon is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race.

23 year-old Kirwa took the race with a fine 2:08:21 in warm weather conditions with temperatures climbing to around 20° Celsius in the sun. Ethiopia’s Dereje Debele Tulu was second in 2:09:08 and Joseph Maregu (Kenya) took third with 2:09:25.

With Degefa Abebe Negewo (Ethiopia) running 2:09:52 it was the first time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon that the first four runners clocked sub 2:10 times – and this despite the fact that there were only debutants in the elite fields.

Mayr wrote Austrian athletics history by becoming only the second home athlete to win the women’s race and additionally breaking the Austrian marathon record in her debut race. The 29-year-old clocked 2:30:43 to beat Ethiopians Derbe-Godana Gebissa (2:31:31) and Hayato-Zeineba Hasso (2:34:01). Mayr improved the national record from Eva-Maria Gradwohl (2:30:51 in 2008) by eight seconds.

Including shorter races 29,054 runners from 100 nations had entered the 26th Vienna City Marathon.

MEN

The Kenyan, who is a training partner of world-class marathon runner Jason Mbote (Kenya/2:07:37), had been in the big leading group right from the start. They passed the half marathon mark in 64:17 minutes, which was slightly slower than expected. But the pace was picked up around the 25k mark and soon after that more and more runners lost contact to the leaders.

At 30 k (1:30:40) the final two pacemakers dropped out and a duel between Kirwa and Negewo developed with Maregu just a couple of strides behind. But when Kirwa further increased the pace he started opening a decisive gap soon after the 36 k point.

“I am very happy with this debut victory and with my time. The spectators helped me a lot. It was a great race in a great city. After this debut I hope to run 2:04 one day,” said Kirwa, who achieved the third fastest performance ever in the Vienna City Marathon and earned 20.000 Euros.

The most prominent debutant in the field had not a good day: The Olympic Steeplechase champion from 2000 in Sydney, Reuben Kosgei of Kenya, dropped out of the race. Another former steeplechaser, Günther Weidlinger, ran an encouraging debut in Vienna. But in the end he was unlucky, because he missed the Austrian record by just 17 seconds. Weidlinger finished ninth with 2:12:39.

“I was well in time for the record for a long time, but the final two kilometres really killed me. I could not run any more. To finish ninth is okay for me, but I am disappointed to have missed the record,” said Weidlinger.

WOMEN

The race was surprisingly dominated by Andrea Mayr throughout. Tiruwork Mekonnen (Ethiopia) had asked for a 2:25 pace, but early in the race she decided to go for a more careful approach and ran a couple of metres behind the Austrian. The two time winner of the World Mountain Running Trophy soon started building a big lead. When Mayr reached the half way point in 1:14:47 she was already more than a minute ahead of the Ethiopian trio with Gebissa, Hasso and Mekonnen.

At 30 k the crowd favourite Mayr had increased her lead to more than 90 seconds. Having started the race despite a foot injury the Austrian had a difficult section between 36 and 40 km.

“When I looked at my watch with three kilometres to go I thought I would not be able to break the national record. I felt a bit sad, but said to myself you are still in the lead and can win the race. When I checked my watch again at 42k I saw that I had 50 seconds left – so I gave everything I had left and said to myself: you have to get the record,” Mayr said after finishing with 2:30:43. “It was an unbelievable race for me,” she added.

Mayr, who became the first Austrian woman to win the Vienna City Marathon since Carina Lilge-Leutner back in 1987, received the winner’s prize money of 15,000 Euros.

Jörg Wenig for the IAAF

RESULTS

Men:
1. Gilbert Kipruto Kirwa KEN 2:08:21
2. Dereje Debele Tulu ETH 2:09:08
3. Joseph Maregu KEN 2:08:25
4. Degefa Abebe Negewo ETH 2:09:52
5. Mohamed El-Hachimi MAR 2:10:24
6. Jafred Chirchir KEN 2:10:42
7. Getu Fekele ETH 2:11:42
8. Pedro Nimo Del-Oro ESP 2:12:10
9. Günther Weidlinger AUT 2:12:39
10. Maswai Kiptanui KEN 2:13:25

Women:
1. Andrea Mayr AUT 2:30:43
2. Derbe-Godana Gebissa ETH 2:31:31
3. Hayato-Zeineba Hasso ETH 2:34:01
4. Tiruwork Mekonnen ETH 2:34:07
5. Olga Kalenarova-Ochal UKR 2:35:25
6. Esther Muthuku KEN 2.39:22

Macharia and Timofeyeva win Nagano Marathon

The pre-race favourites Isaac Macharia of Kenya and Irina Timofeyeva of Russia won the 11th Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon, contested over the one-way course from Nagano Sports Park to Nagano Olympic stadium, Nagano, Japan on Sunday 19 April.

Macharia, who crossed the line in 2:11:21, became the third runner to win the Nagano Marathon more than once, having been victorious in the 2005 edition with 2:10:59. Previously, Eric Wainaina won in 2000 and 2003, while Nephat Kinyanjui won thrice from 2006.

For Timofeyeva, who came from behind to win in 2:30:08, it was her first victory at Nagano.

Neither Girma Tolla nor Yoshimi Ozaki made their anticipated breakthrough. Tolla finished second, 50 seconds behind Macharia, while early leader Ozaki finished third one minute ten seconds behind the winner Timofeyeva.

MEN’s Race:

Masaru Takamizawa, who won the last year’s Hokkaido Marathon, pushed the pace in the early stages. A huge lead pack headed by Takamizawa passed 5Km in 15:44 and 10Km in 31:20 (15:36). By 15Km (46:57 (15:37)), this lead pack had been reduced to fourteen runners.

Although the pace stayed moderate (20Km in 1:02:38 (15:41)), by half way (1:06:04) the race was down to a contest between ten runners. Of these Takamizawa fell behind the pace first, while up front Girma Tolla, Yuriy Hychun, Isaac Macharia, Norman Dlomo and Simon Wangai were pushing the pace.

Soon Isaac Macharia upped the tempo and his opponents began to fall away. By 30Km (1:34:00 (15:32)) the lead pack was down to five runners, and soon Macharia was running alone in front.

By 35Km (1:49:24 (15:24)), Macharia was six seconds ahead of Wangai and Tola. Macharia continued to extend his lead in the next 7Km and won by 50 seconds over Tolla, while Wangai was another 23 seconds behind.

WOMEN’s Race:

Akemi Ozaki led the race in the early stages. She led by 16 seconds at 5Km (17:31), but the gap narrowed to 11 seconds by 10Km (35:14 (17:43)). Soon Ozaki was caught and by 15Km (53:00 (17:46)) four runners – Irene Limika, Irina Timofeyeva, Derartu Tulu and Ozaki – were running together, with Tatiana Aryasova running 7 seconds behind.

Soon Aryasova caught the leaders and so five runners passed 20Km 1:10:54 (17:54), and half way in 1:14:40.

With Derartu Tulu and Akemi Ozaki falling behind in the next four Km, three runners Limika, Aryasova and Timofeyeva passed 25Km in 1:28:08 (17:14).

The real racing started soon after when Limika broke away from two Russians, and by 30Km (1:45:11 (17:03), Limika led by 48 seconds and although Limika was slowing down, she continued to extend her lead and by 35Km (2:03:05 (17:54) she was one minute 31 seconds ahead of second place Timofeyeva.

However, as Limika slowed down even more (40Km in 2:21 57 (18:52)), Timofeyeva began cutting into her lead. By 40Km, Timofeyeva was only 19 seconds behind, and as Limika faltered badly Timofeyeva passed her in the final stages of the race and won by 42 seconds ahead of the long time leader Limika in 2:30:08.

Ken Nakamura for the IAAF

Weather: temperature: 16C; humidity: 50%

RESULTS

Men
1) Isaac Macharia (KEN) 2:11:21
2) Girma Tolla (ETH) 2:12:11
3) Simon Wangai (KEN) 2:12:34
4) Gidey Amaha (ETH) 2:15:01
5) Norman Dlomo (RSA) 2:15:45
6) Yuriy Hychun (UKR) 2:15:55
7) Masaki Shimojyu 2:15:57
8) Masayuki Satouchi 2:16:22
9) Masaru Takamizawa 2:17:25
10) Michitane Noda 2:17:50

Splits
5Km 15:44 Masaru Takamizawa
10Km 31:20 Masaru Takamizawa
15Km 46:57 Masaru Takamizawa
20Km 1:02:38 Masaru Takamizawa
Half 1:06:04 Masaru Takamizawa
25Km 1:18:28 Girma Tola
30Km 1:34:00 Isaac Macharia
35Km 1:49:24 Isaac Macharia
40Km 2:04:26 Isaac Macharia
Finish 2:11:21 Isaac Macharia

Women
1) Irina Timofeyeva (RUS) 2:30:08
2) Irene Limika (KEN) 2:30:50
3) Akemi Ozaki 2:31:18
4) Derartu Tulu (ETH) 2:34:17
5) Tatiana Aryasova (RUS) 2:34:32
6) Yoko Yagi 2:36:26
7) Yukako Goto 2:40:50
8) Chihiro Tanaka 2:41:21
9) Kaori Akagawa 2:44:59
10) Yoshimi Hoshino 2:45:24

Splits:
5Km 17:31 Akemi Ozaki
10Km 35:23 Akemi Ozaki
15Km 53:00 Irene Limika
20Km 1:10:54 Tatiana Aryasova
Half 1:14:40 Tatiana Aryasova
25Km 1:18:08 Irene Limika
30Km 1:45:11 Irene Limika
35Km 2:03:05 Irene Limika
40Km 2:21:57 Irene Limika
Finish 2:30:08 Irina Timofeyeva

2:05:47 course record for Kipruto in Paris, five others under 2:07

Paris, France - Surprising Kenyan Vincent Kipruto broke the Marathon de Paris record with a 2:05.47 run, winning one of the fastest races of all-time as five other men ran under 2:07. Ethiopians dominated the women’s race, led by Atsede Bayisa in 2:24:42.

The Marathon de Paris is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Fast from the gun - men’s race

This morning, conditions were perfect for distance runners, 10°C and a calm wind, with humidity at 87% dropping to 70% by the end of the race. Some 35,000 runners ran in front of 250,000 spectators in the French Capital, and the depth of the elite race was indeed exceptional, with 6 men under 2:07 (matching London 2008 record) and 11 under 2:09 (new record).

The race opened on a fast basis, soon headed by a dozen Kenyans. All the favourites were there behind pacemaker Erik Kibet, including David Mandago Kipkorir (the winner in Hamburg with 2:07:23) and David Kemboi Kiyeng (winner in Reims with 2:07:53). Marathon debutants Ethiopian Bazu Worku Hayla (winner at Paris Half-Marathon one month ago in 1:01:56 in difficult weather conditions) and Rwandese Dieudonné Disi (a 27:22.28 performer at 10,000m) were ideally placed in the pack. After the first hour, positions were virtually unchanged, but Henry Sugut, one of the pacemakers, was accidentally hit by a medical service volunteer who was wearing roller blades.

After a pace increase between the 15th and 20th kilometres (covered close to 14min), Kipkorir, Kiyeng and their fellow countrymen Kipruto (PB 2:08:16), Jonathan Kipkorir (PB 2:09:22), Francis Kibiwott (debutant), accompanied by Ethiopians Worku and Yemane Adhane (PB 2:10.48) as well as Moroccan Rachid Kisri (PB 2:10:33) passed the half-way in 1:02:46. This was fast enough for a finish time around 2:05, much faster than what they had ever run. As an indication, during the World Record (2:03:59) set by Haïle Gebrselassie in Berlin last year, the race went through in 1:02:04. In this unheard of configuration, the question was how long each of them would maintain that pace.

Kipruto made the difference in the Bois de Boulogne and after a decisive acceleration with three kilometres to go, the Kenyan, showing no sign of fatigue, eventually left Bado Worku, who resigned himself to save his second position.

The 21-year-old, a pure road runner who distinguished himself at his first Marathon in Reims in October taking third place in 2:08:16, was thus the surprise winner of the 33th edition of the Paris Marathon, breaking the 2:06:33 race record held by Michael Rotich since 2003.

“I didn’t thought I was going to run that fast,” Kipruto commented simply.

Worku, 20, impressed for his first Marathon with 2:06:15, to fall firmly within the 20 fastest ever. The silver medallist at 5000m at the 2004 World Junior Championships, he set his personal best of 13:18:08 the following year. Focusing on road races since 2008, he won the Paris Half Marathon in March, but nothing to announce such potential.

Kemboi Kiyeng also moved up the all-time list with his 2:06:26, but massive improvements came from Yemane Adhane and Rachid Kisri (34-years-old with 17 marathons under his belt) who both improved by about four minutes.

Ethiopia start to finish – women’s race

While Kenyans dominated the men’s contest, Ethiopians women took control of the female race as soon as the start. Ashu Kasim, Worknesh Tola, and Azalech Masresha covered the first 5km in 16:07, protecting debutante and favourite Aselefech Mergia (1:07:48 at Half-Marathon in February), and eventual winner Atsede Bayisa. The positions remained unchanged for ten more kilometres, until Kenyan debutante Julia Muraga joined the leaders. By the half way point, four women remained, with Kasim still leading in 1:11:18 from Masresha, Mergia and Bayisa. Tola, second in Paris last year (2:25:37) lost ground and was definitively out of contention.

Some hectometres behind, accompanied by male runners, Christelle Dauney, the French Record holder with 2:28:24 set in Osaka last year, had a more cautious start but passed Tola just before the 30th kilometre. Ten minutes later, the Frenchwoman joined Masresha.

The three remaining Ethiopians (Bayisa, Mergia and Kasim) remained shoulder-to-shoulder until the final kilometres. Kasim was the first to drop, caught by Dauney as they arrived in Avenue Foch. In front, Bayisa found the resources to leave Mergia and win in 2:24:42, smashing her previous bets of 2:29:08. Marleen Renders’ race record (2:23:05 in 2002) was safe but it was a significant improvement for the 21-year-old who placed ninth in Dubai in January with 2:29:13.

A few meters back, Mergia finished her first Marathon in 2:25:02. Dauney, third, displayed a well balanced race with 1:12:48 and 1:12:55 halves for a final time of 2:25:43, a large progression over her National Record.

“Everything went fine, it’s a wonderful day,” said Dauney, who recently took the French Cross Country title. “I prepared so hard to break my record in Paris, this period was very difficult for me.” Before the race, Dauney stated that the Paris Marathon was her main objective of the year and would not participate at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin (15-23 August).

IAAF

Leading RESULTS -

MEN:
1. Vincent Kipruto Limo (KEN) 2:05:47 (PB)
2. Bazu Worku (ETH) 2:06:15 (debut)
3. David Kemboi Kiyeng (KEN) 2:06:26 (PB)
4. Yemane Adhane (ETH) 2:06:30 (PB)
5. Rachid Kisri (MAR) 2:06:48 (PB)
6. David Mandago Kipkorir (KEN) 2:06:53 (PB)
7. Jonathan Kosgei Kipkorir (KEN) 2:07:31 (PB)
8. Shadrack Kipchumba Kiplagat (KEN) 2:08:11
9. John Kipkorir Komen (KEN) 2:08:12
10. Daniel Too Kiprugut (KEN) 2:08:38 (PB)

Intermediate times for Vincent Kipruto Limo -
5km 14:50, 10km 29:45, 15km 44:52, 21.1km 1:02:46, 25km 1:14:19, 30km 1:29:26, 35km 1:44:58.

WOMEN:
1. Atsede Bayisa (ETH) 2:24:42(PB)
2. Aselefech Mergia (ETH) 2:25:02 (debut)
3. Christelle Dauney (FRA) 2:25:43 (NR)
4. Ashu Kasim (ETH) 2:25:49 (debut)
5. Julia Mombi Muraga (KEN) 2:29:10
6. Worknesh Tola (ETH) 2:29:19
7. Leah Malot (KEN) 2:30:29 (PB)
8. Maria McCambridge (IRL) 2:35:29 (PB)
9. Azalech Masresha (ETH) 2:35:56 (debut)
10. Maja Neuenschwander (SUI) 2:36:48 (PB)

Intermediate times for Atsede Bayisa -
5km 16:08, 10km 33:08, 15km 50:57, 21.1km 1:11:19, 25km 1:24:23, 30km 1:41:51, 35km 1:59:52.

Kibet edges Kwambai as both clock 2:04:27 - Rotterdam Marathon

5 April 2009 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands - In one of the fastest men's marathons ever, Kenyan Duncan Kibet edged compatriot James Kwambai to win the 29th Fortis Marathon Rotterdam. Both runners were credited with a 2:04:27, the third fastest performance of all time.

The Fortis Rotterdam Marathon is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race.

Three times in its 29-year-old history the Rotterdam Marathon produced a World record. The authors were Carlos Lopes (2:07:12, 1985) and Belayneh Densamo (2:06:50, 1988) on the men's side and Tegla Loroupe (2:20:47, 1998) on the women's. On a near perfect day for Marathon running with a temperature of around 10 degrees CT, nearly no wind and light sunshine, Rotterdam now got a thrilling finish with Kibet and Kwambai both clocking 2:04:27, the third fastest time even run. Only world record holder Haile Gebrselassie (2:03:59 and 2:04:26) has ever run faster.

Thrilling finish!

The finish, with tens of thousands of spectators packed into the city's Coolsingel center district, was a thriller for the final 500 metres. Kwambai who ran a strong and impressive race was the first to enter the broad central Rotterdam thoroughfare. He was several metres ahead of his compatriot, the Kalenjin tribesman Kibet, who came back in the last few hundred metres, fell back only to come back again to finally edge Kwambai at the finishline to become Kenya's new national record holder, surpassing former World record holder Paul Tergat. The distance between the two was nearly not visible.

Behind, two other Kenyans, Abel Kirui (2:05:04) and Patrick Makau (2:06:14), finished third and fourth. For Kirui it also a personal best, and for Makau, an impressive debut.

Solid pacemaking

After several years of less-than-optimal weather circumstances Rotterdam this year experienced its best ever for a Marathon race. The plan for the race was that the seven pace makers would bring the most important contenders through 30 kilometres in 1:29 minutes. The plan worked well, especially by Wilson Chebet who forced the pace to bring the leaders to the 32nd kilometre in the Kralingse Bos (Kralingse Wood).

The race got off a very fast start with intermediate times of 14:41 and 29:18 for five and ten kilometres. At 15 kms (44:16 for the winner) there was still a leading group of seventeen, including some pace makers. At half way (1:02:35) the pace was still very fast and it appeared certain that the desired 2:05 clocking was possible. At 30Km, Chebet was leading the group of four - Kibet, Kwambai, Kirui and Makau. The latter, with eight sub-60 minute Half Marathons under his belt was always running at the back of the group. After Chebet had fnished his excellent pace work the race was on. Kwambai was mostly leading and his pace proved to be too fast first for Makau and later for Kirui. After Kirui dropped back the other two forged on, passing 40 kilometres in 1:57:53. Kwambai looked to be the strongest but in the final strech to the finish the bearded Kibet was the quickest.

"Around 35 kms I had to close a little gap," Kibet said. "I do not know what happened in the final stage. I only know I won. I was a little bit worried because one of my knees was painful but everything went fine. Next year I will be back here on this extremely fast course."

Yulamanova overtakes struggling Cheromei - women's race

The women's race was won by Russian Nailya Yulamanova in a personal best of 2:26:30.

Yulamanova was a convincing winner. Running well behind pre-race favourite Lydia Cheromei for much of the race, at one point more than a minute-and-a-half adrift. But when the Kenyan weakened in the waning stages, the Russian took advantage to claim the win.

For Yulamanova, there was a major problem before the race. She lost her luggage en route but the organisers managed to arrange new shoes (size 3.5) on Saturday night.

"When we brought her new shoes it was the first time we saw her smiling," a race organiser said

Zheng Kai-start International Marathon Kenya, Chinese athletes won

April 5, 2009, Zheng Kai (Zhengzhou to Kaifeng) International Marathon start firing from 25 countries and regions take part in the 16,800 race participants. According to the briefing, Zheng Kai (Zhengzhou to Kaifeng) International Marathon is the world's only connecting two cities (Zhengzhou and Kaifeng) between the marathon race at this meeting there is full marathon, half marathon and marathon three small race China Chen Shu-hair photo

China news agency, Zhengzhou, April 5 (Reporter Shi Baoyin) - On the 5th morning, "Zheng open 200 9 International Marathon" at connecting the two ancient capitals of China Zheng start firing on open road, from 26 countries and regions 16,800 players after fierce competition, the players finally Robert Kilagat Kosgei of Kenya in 2 hours 24 seconds am the first to win the men's, China's FENG Ai-ping, Shaanxi 2 hours 36 minutes to two 12 seconds to win the women first.

City of day in Zhengzhou are sunny, spring. 8:30 Xu, contest began slowly, after a series of ceremonies, from the Greek city of Marathon Marathon Goodwill Ambassador Choi lit collected from the ancient battlefield of Marathon torch sites. Embraced under the raging flame, wearing a red shirt the players running up more than ten thousand. Bright red flag with five stars, red ribbons, red will be one of the crowd at the scene into a piece of red decorate the ocean.

It is reported that this event set the whole marathon, half-marathon and five-kilometer fitness of three small marathon. 16,800 riders take part in the men's game the whole 2400 people, 400 women; and take part in half of the men's race 3700 people, 900 were women; join the rest of the people are nearly five universal small marathon fitness.

It is reported that this event to enhance the impact, the organizers also significantly enhanced the prize winner, prize winner from the men's 10,000 U.S. dollars last year doubled to 20,000 U.S. dollars; greater increase in women's prize winner, 6000 U.S. dollars from last year's leap forward to 15,000 U.S. dollars.