January 2008
1 JAN | 5 JAN | 6 JAN | 10 JAN |
18 JAN | 19 JAN | 20 JAN | 27 JAN
1 JANUARY 2008: ST CROIX INTERNATIONAL MARATHON, US VIRGIN ISLANDS
St. Croix offers the first sunrise of the year under the US flag and it also brings light for runners with the world's
first marathon of the year, now run for the sixth time.
Twenty-two local and international runners registered for the race, sixteen started and fifteen completed. Jose
Rodriquez, third in 2006, took the lead at the ¾ mile mark from women's winner Ruth Ann David, who always leads out
the race no matter who is in the race. Rodriguez cruised through 10 miles in about one hour, by which time he was well
ahead of David. Last year David had faltered in the final miles of the race and was taken to the hospital with
dehydration, but this year she held on to take first place ahead of four-time winner Theresa Harper, who has been
recovering from major injuries over the past few months. Both David and Harper ran times which qualified them for Boston,
as did Michell and Nicholls in the men's race. For John Wallace of USA, in ninth place with 4:11:46, it was his 296th
marathon (88 countries), while Italy's William Govi made St Croix his 676th marathon.
MEN:
1 Jose RODRIGUEZ PUR 2:55:39
2 Matt PERRY GBR 3:17:21
3 Ernest MITCHELL ISV 3:22:22
4 Wayne NICHOLLS ISV 3:34:43
5 Richard JEANPIERRE ISV 3:38:33
6 Lloyd HENRY ISV 3:41:55
7 Arcadi ALIBES ESP 3:56:49
8 Scott FRICKS ISV 4:05:42
WOMEN:
1 Ruth Ann DAVID ISV 3:35:06
2 Theresa HARPER ISV 3:47:13
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5 JANUARY 2008: XIAMEN INTERNATIONAL MARATHON, CHINA
Competing in just her third Marathon, 18-year-old Zhang Yingying ran a World junior best over the distance writes
Mirko Javala. Zhang had already run 2:27:20 in Beijing last October finishing second but in Xiamen she stormed into
world class by cutting almost five minutes from her best time, while bettering the previous fastest by a junior, Min Liu's
2:23:37 set at the 2001 Beijing Marathon. Winning the race sub-2:24 also secured her the third place on the team for the
Bejing Olympic Marathon, although she has also qualified for 5000m and 10000m with performances of 15:06.08 and 31:17.30
set shortly after the Beijing Marathon. In theory the timetable would allow room to contest all three distances, although
there is only one day between the 10,000m and Marathon races. World Championships silver medallist Zhou Chunxiu and Zhu
Xiaolin, who finished fourth in Osaka, had been selected for the Chinese Olympic team earlier.
Wei Yanan was the early leader in the race setting the pace until 20km with Bai Xue, Zhang, and Sun Yingjie, who
returned to competition from a two year doping ban, also in the leading group. Zhang and Bai finally broke away from Wei
after the 32km mark with Zhang easily sprinting to the victory.
Bai Xue bettered her old PB of 2:27:46 in her fifth career marathon but Sun Yingjie faded to 2:38:21 in her comeback
race.
It came down to a sprint finish between the two Kenyan leaders in the men's race, with Kiprotich Kenei edging out
Elias Kemboi by a single scond. Third place probably secured Deng Haiyang the last available spot on the Chinese Olympic
marathon team alongside national record holder Ren Longyun (2:08:15 in 2007) and Han Gang (2:08:56 in 2007).
MEN:
1 Kiprotich KENEI KEN 2:09:49
2 Elias KEMBOI KEN 2:09:50
3 Deng HAIYANG CHN 2:10:43
WOMEN:
1 Yingying ZHANG CHN 2:22:38
2 Xue BAI CHN 2:23:27
3 Yanan WEI CHN 2:25:10
5 JANUARY 2008: KINMEN MARATHON, CHINESE TAIPEI
MEN:
1 Disdery HOMBO TAN 2:23:41
2 2:23:57
3 2:35:07
WOMEN:
1 Irina SONGERLAYNEN RUS 2:44:57
2 Su Hua CHENG 2:57:26
3 Min WU 3:08:01
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6 JANUARY 2008: MIZUNO HONG KONG HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS, HONG KONG
MEN:
1 Ho Ka CHAN 1:12:41
2 Andy NAYLOR 1:13:43
3 Jonny Yan Hok LAI 1:13:50
4 Andrew STEVENSON 1:14:19
5 Ming Tat CHOI 1:14:30
6 Roberto VENEZIAN 1:15:28
7 Matthew JONES 1:16:05
8 Yin Chiu LEUNG 1:16:17
9 Ngai Chun CHEUNG 1:16:20
10 Yu Kwong CHAN 1:16:52
WOMEN:
1 Ping Siu WONG 1:25:00
2 Ping Sui FAN 1:26:53
3 Fei Suet LI 1:27:17
4 Rebecca YAU 1:27:39
5 Wai Ka LAI 1:27:50
6 Ching Kit YIU 1:28:16
7 Yee Kit CHAN 1:28:54
8 Wah Hoi CHEUNG 1:29:08
9 Fan Yuen LEONG 1:29:16
10 Rachel SPROSTON 1:30:05
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10 JANUARY 2008: TIBERIAS MARATHON, ISRAEL
Five runners surpassed the old course record and ran under 2:12, also breaking the Israeli all-comers. A new
participation record was also established as approximately 1000 runners took part, from 21 countries. The 31st edition
was the most successful race so far. Leonard Muchera, who last year represented Bahrain, reverted to Kenyan allegiance
and won the race again.
Haile Stayin, an Israeli Marathon runner already qualified for Beijing 2008 was returning from a training camp in
Ethiopia and arrived in the early hours, only making it to the start line with 13 minutes to spare. He was the top Israeli
runner through 32km but then had to retire. Zvadya Vodage won the national title, clocking 2:18:44, with last year's
winner Assaf Bimro only a few steps behind in 2:18:46. Nili Abramsky won the women's race outright and became national
champion. This was her 11th Tiberias Marathon win. About 5,000 people took part in the various races during the two
days of events.
MEN:
1 Leonard MUCHERA KEN 2:10:32
2 Kenneth Mburu MUGERU KEN 2:10:37
3 Jackson KIPKOECH KEN 2:10:57
4 Samuel MUTURI KEN 2:11:05
5 Etama GELANA ETH 2:11:58
6 Temesgen Yared MEKKONEN ETH 2:17:50
7 Wadage ZEVADIA ISR 2:18:45
8 Asaf BIMRO ISR 2:18:46
9 Maweu Meshack MUTUNGI KEN 2:19:08
10 Benjamin Kipketer BOR KEN 2:20:18
WOMEN:
1 Nili ABRAMSKY ISR 2:39:15
2 Grace Wavuwa KITONGA KEN 2:47:43
3 Ruth KALUNBA KEN 2:52:31
4 Loris MENDELOVICH ISR 2:58:11
5 Orna BLOW ISR 3:07:13
6 Kalkidan BALCHA ETH 3:15:38
7 Lila FRENKEL ISR 3:16:10
8 Dorit SHOBALI ISR 3:18:59
9 Nechama ABRAMOFF ISR 3:19:27
10 Milka GUTEMA ETH 3:19:32
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18 JANUARY 2008: STANDARD CHARTERED DUBAI MARATHON, UAE
Haile Gebrselassie ran the second fastest marathon in history, 2:04:53, but a suicidal early tempo ruined any chance
of breaking his own world record writes Pat Butcher.
The weather was perfect for marathoners, global warming, or in the Gulf, global cooling kept the 07:00 start
temperature down to 11°C, rising to just 14°C at the finish. Passing 10km in 28:39, Gebrselassie was 45 seconds
up on his Berlin record pace, and at halfway (61:27), that advantage had stretched to a minute. He maintained his
advance on a new world mark until 35km, when he still had 25 seconds in hand. The last pacemaker, Abel Kirui, had
dropped out at 30km, and the pace was dropping inexorably. The million dollars for a new record, offered by Dubai
Holdings, evaporated before 40km, and in the end the 34 year old Ethiopian was 27 seconds shy of his record.
Nevertheless, he consolidated his position as the world's best marathoner and won the biggest prize in marathon history,
$250,000. Gebrselassie conceded that the start was too fast, "I wanted to do 62 minutes for halfway, and I paid the
price in the final stages, but I'm happy to run this time."
The women's race was far more competitive, and also fast in the early stages, though not in the same register as
Gebrselassie. Seven women were still together at halfway in 70 mins, but similarly, class told in the end. Berhane Adere
ran away in the last few kilometres, to win less than two minutes outside her national record, and also won $250,000.
Bezunesh Bekele made one of the fastest marathon debuts in history to finish second and defending champion Askale
Magarsa also set a personal best in third. Lornah Kiplagat dropped out just after halfway with the recurrence of a calf
problem, and Olivera Jevtic of Serbia lasted until 30km when stomach problems forced her out.
MEN:
1 Haile GEBRSELASSIE ETH 2:04:53
2 Isaac MACHARIA KEN 2:07:16
3 Sammy KORIR KEN 2:08:01
4 Gudisa SHENTAMA ETH 2:09:27
5 Tesfaye TOLA ETH 2:09:38
6 Raymond KIPKOECH KEN 2:09:39
7 Deressa CHISMA ETH 2:10:16
8 Asnake FIKADU ETH 2:11:04
9 Gashaw MELESE ETH 2:12:03
10 William Todo ROTICH KEN 2:12:20
WOMEN:
1 Birhane ADERE ETH 2:22:42
2 Bezunesh BEKELE ETH 2:23:09
3 Askale Tafa MAGARSA ETH 2:23:23
4 Rose Jelagat CHERUIYOT KEN 2:25:48
5 Alice CHELANGAT KEN 2:27:29
6 Asha Gigi ROBA ETH 2:28:24
7 Shitaye GEMECHU ETH 2:30:20
8 Roba Guta TOLA ETH 2:33:44
9 Kidst TEKA ETH 2:35:58
10 Lucia KIMANI KEN 2:37:37
Top
19 JANUARY 2008: CABO HALF MARATHON, MEXICO
MEN:
1 Joseph MUTISYA KEN 1:04:34
2 Sergio Pedraza GONZALES MEX 1:04:38
3 Francisco Posadas CRUZ MEX 1:04:46
4 Jose Uribe MARINO MEX 1:05:24
5 Cesar Luis MIRAVETE MEX 1:06:56
6 Francisco Fernandez MIRANDA MEX 1:07:51
7 Alejandro Salvador CRUZ MEX 1:10:15
8 Israel Avila ACOSTA MEX 1:10:26
9 Kiprot KIBET KEN 1:11:36
10 Luis Ceron TORRES MEX 1:13:40
WOMEN:
1 Teresia MBUGUA KEN 1:16:59
2 Sara Cedillo SANCHEZ MEX 1:17:21
3 Truphena JEMELI TARUS MEX 1:23:08
4 Esther JURASEK USA 1:27:41
5 Yesemnia Felix VARELA MEX 1:32:42
6 Martha Arroyo MALDONADO MEX 1:34:10
7 Maria Billar ALCANTARA MEX 1:34:26
8 Josefina Diaz MARTINEZ MEX 1:34:53
9 Teresa Rodriguez SAAVEDRA MEX 1:34:57
10 Cathy ARMSTRONG USA 1:35:06
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20 JANUARY 2008: STANDARD CHARTERED MUMBAI MARATHON, INDIA
Photo: Getty Images
On a morning that was cool by Mumbai standards a large group set off at an ambitious sub 2:10 pace, with a sizeable
group of women also on schedule to go under 2:30 writes Ram. Murali Krishnan. Mulu Seboka went on to set a course
record and Indian all-comers record in winning for the third time, following up on her 2005 and 2006 victories while John
Kelai successfully defended the men's crown.
Seboka improved her own course reord from 2006 by over three minutes. Helped by an untypically cool
20°C at the
start of the race she was led out by pacemaker Hellen Nzembi as Seboka remained in the bunch at 10km with 35:36. She went
ahead after 15km and registered 1:14:30 at halfway but was still being hotly pursued by the fast-improving Irene Mogaka.
Daniel Rono, the 2006 winner at Mumbai, acted as a pacemaker, leading through the first half in 64:51. It increased the
high expectation among the fans, thousands of whom assembled on the roadside as well as millions of television viewers who
watched it live from their homes across the country on national television. Five runners led on the return journey after
the turnaround point at 23km. The most signficant rise on the course comes at 35km, and on the descent a kilometre later
defending champion John Kelai led with Philemon Boit and Tariku Jifar tracking him. The trio stayed together for the long
exposed stretch along Marine Drive before turning away from the sea towards the finish with less than 2km to run. Kelai
had not shied away from leading and his strength told in the final kilometre as he took a small but decisive lead from
Jifar. He finished with a time four seconds faster than last year, only 20 seconds outside the course record set by Daniel
Rono in 2006.
In a strong run Ram Singh Yadav, the first Indian finisher, broke 2:20 and made the top ten but just missed the
Olympic qualifying "B" standard of 2:18.
Indian runners held centre-stage in the Half-Marathon as Surendra Singh overpowered Jutsi Utrianen of Finland.
Kavita Raut got the better of compatriot Preeja Sreedharan in the women's race.
The number of participants grows each year. Apart from the marathon and half-marathon, a 6km Dream Run, a 4.3km Senior
Citizens' Run and a 2.5km wheelchair event were also conducted. Prizes were also given to Best Costumed participants.
The organisers, Procam International, had to restrict entries even though a record 33,000 ran this year. Apart from its
competitive side a festive atmosphere prevailed as industrialists, film personalities, politicians, journalists and
players from various sports joined together with commoners to keep the spirit alive year after year.
MEN:
1 John KELAI KEN 2:12:23
2 Tariku JIFAR ETH 2:12:28
3 Rhilemon BOIT KEN 2:12:35
4 Amersisa KETEMA ETH 2:13:37
5 Elijah NYAMBUTI KEN 2:14:28
6 Enoch MITEI KEN 2:16:13
7 Evans RUTO KEN 2:17:06
8 John Maluni KATIO KEN 2:17:35
9 Zachary KIHARA KEN 2:18:19
10 Ram Singh YADAV IND 2:18:24
WOMEN:
1 Mulu SEBOKA ETH 2:30:04
2 Irene MOGAKA KEN 2:32:51
3 Margaret TOROITICH KEN 2:33:56
4 Winifrida KWAMBOKA KEN 2:37:35
5 Kebebush HAILLE ETH 2:37:36
6 Moges ZEBENAY ETH 2:37:36
7 Nailya YOULANONOVA RUS 2:37:39
8 Letay NEGASH ETH 2:39:53
9 Marashet JIMMA ETH 2:40:42
10 Katerina STETSENKO UKR 2:43:10
20 JANUARY 2008: CHINA COAST MARATHON, HONG KONG
Gunnar Rethfeldt claimed his third victory in Hong Kong's longest running marathon. He won comfortably but had looked
set for a faster time before the heat seemed to take its toll in the second half. Veteran John Lane, 71, continued his
streak of having competed in every China Coast Marathon since its inception.
MEN:
1 Gunnar RETHFELDT HKG 2:47:19
2 Ping Chuen WONG HKG 2:52:23
3 Ming Fai LAI HKG 2:56:05
4 Larsen MIKKEL 3:03:35
5 Luen Pai WONG 3:04:11
6 William DAVIES 3:07:21
7 Wai Ming CHIANG 3:07:57
8 Yiu Fun Jonathan LAU 3:08:46
9 Chun Sing FAN 3:08:55
10 Mau Fai CHUNG 3:09:51
WOMEN:
1 Pui Shan CHAN 3:32:33
2 Jane WARD 3:35:23
3 Angelina Fung Sin KONG 3:38:17
4 Wiwin LEUNG 3:41:34
5 Mei Lun YEUNG 3:45:48
6 Mari KAURI 3:45:57
7 Lok LAI 4:00:42
8 Fung In TAI 4:01:26
9 Chui Ha KWAN 4:02:41
10 Carolyn KNG 4:07:49
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Andy NAYLOR 1:15:27
2 Roberto VENEZIANI 1:16:14
3 Tat Ming CHOI 1:17:14
WOMEN:
1 Kit Yee CHAN 1:32:17
2 Rosamund Alehea BARKER 1:34:00
3 Wynnie FUNG 1:34:19
20 JANUARY 2008: SUBIC MARATHON, PHILIPPINES
Nelson Kirwa Rotich took a runaway victory at Subic Bay Freeport Zone, while Filipino regional race winner Eduardo
Buenavista managed to keep ahead of another Kenyan invited runner, Sammy Kiprono Kosgei. Homegrown talents dominated in
the women's race.
This first international event was an instant success with more than 5,000 runners competing in 3km, 5km, 10km, 21km
and 42km events. A number of participants came from as far away as USA, UK, Kenya, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Philippine runners also came from far and wide: Baguio City, Laguna, Tarlac, Pampanga, Metro Manila, students from
Olongapo City and police trainees from various Police Regional Training Schools. The huge turn-out of runners surpassed
the expectations of both Police Director German Doria, and the City Mayor of Olongapo, the Honorable James Gordon, who
both attended the event. The races were organized primarily to generate awareness among the public for the PNP's advocacy
campaign of transforming itself into a more capable, efficient and credible police force, according to Police Chief
Superintendent Samson R. Tucay, the Director of the Police National Training Institute and prime mover of the event.
The races also promote fitness and healthy living, and showcase Subic as a major tourist destination in Asia.
The marathon traces its beginnings in 2005 to the morning road-runs of policemen who experienced deep personal change
while undergoing leadership training in Subic.
MEN:
1 Nelson Kirwa ROTICH KEN 2:27:12
2 Eduardo BUENAVISTA PHI 2:27:56
3 Sammy K KOSGEI KEN 2:28:18
4 Albert OMBUGA KEN 2:29:54
5 Elkana K KIPKETER KEN 2:30:44
6 Richard M MUTISYA KEN 2:30:47
7 Cresenciano SABAL PHI 2:31:39
8 Thomas KIPROTICH KEN 2:35:09
9 Julius K KIMUGE KEN 2:37:47
10 Mamerto CORPUZ PHI 2:41:42
WOMEN:
1 Estrella DIAZ 3:22:00
2 Ailene TOLENTINO 3:26:10
3 Amanda CORPO 3:57:10
4 Fiona OTTIGER 3:57:50
5 Jennie KIL 3:59:10
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Kennedy LILAN 1:16:20
2 Elmer SABAL 1:18:30
3 Gerald SABAL 1:18:40
WOMEN:
1 Mercedita FETALVERO 1:31:50
2 Maracil MAQUILAN 1:41:40
3 Liza YAMBAO 1:44:40
Top
27 JANUARY 2008: OSAKA INTERNATIONAL LADIES MARATHON, JAPAN
Photo: Kazutaka Eguchi/Agence SHOT
Britain's Mara Yamauchi passed Japan's Kayoko Fukushi at 34.6km and went on to win writes Ken Nakamura.
It was a personal best by three seconds and the first marathon victory for Yamauchi. Tomo Morimoto, in second, was the
only one of the top five who did not set a new personal best. Japan-based Kenyan Julia Mombi, in third, and Miki Ohira in
fourth both improved by more than three minutes. Madoka Ogi debuted in fifth place.
Previous winner Lidia Simon finished sixth in her fastest time since 2005. Altogether thirteen runners broke 2:30,
but pre-race co-favourite Yumiko Hara pulled out of the race at the last minute citing a cold.
Kayoko Fukushi pulled away from the pack after the first kilometre and then ran alone for the next 33km. A pack of 18
chased Fukushi who was already 22 seconds ahead by 5km. At 10km Fukushi led 15 runners by 43 seconds; at 15km they were
96 seconds in arrears. By 20km, the chasing pack was down to 14 runners and by 25km 10 were left. In the next 5km the
chase pack thinned to eight, but started to close the gap on Fukushi. Fukushi encountered real trouble after 31km, taking
3:44 for the next kilometre and then 3:56 between 33-34km.
Morimoto then started to push and soon she only had four runners for company – Tomo Morimoto, Mara Yamauchi, Madoka
Ogi and Julia Mombi. Starting at 32km, Yamauchi started opening a gap on her three opponents. The sustained attack by the
Briton was enough for Yamauchi to catch and pass the slowing Fukushi at 34.6km. Morimoto and Mombi also passed faltering
Fukushi, while Ogi was losing ground to this pair.
Yamauchi continued to pull ahead, while Morimoto and Mombi were running together, 10 seconds behind at 35km. It grew
to 28 seconds by 40km, as Morimoto pulling six seconds ahead of Mombi. Morimoto chased Yamauchi hard but could only
narrow the gap by a few seconds.
"I was hoping to run little faster, but a win is a win, so I am very happy," said Yamauchi, who is married to a
Japanese national and lives in Japan. She gave her post-race interview in Japanese. "Because I slowed down on the same
course last year in the World Championships, I made sure to finish strongly today."
WOMEN (ONLY):
1 Mara YAMAUCHI GBR 2:25:10
2 Tomo MORIMOTO JPN 2:25:34
3 Julia MOMBI KEN 2:26:00
4 Miki OHIRA JPN 2:26:09
5 Madoka OGI JPN 2:26:55
6 Lidia SIMON ROM 2:27:17
7 Mika OKUNAGA JPN 2:27:52
8 Aki FUJIKAWA JPN 2:28:06
9 Constantina DITA-TOMESCU ROM 2:28:15
10 Christelle DAUNAY FRA 2:28:24
27 JANUARY 2008: KHON KAEN MARATHON, THAILAND
MEN:
1 Luka K CHELIMO KEN 2:21:21
2 Geoffrey K BIRGEN KEN 2:21:28
3 Philip TARUS KEN 2:22:10
4 Samwel K LIMO KEN 2:22:19
5 David S CHERUI KEN 2:23:37
6 David K KIPSANG KEN 2:24:32
7 Birhanu M ASFAW ETH 2:24:38
8 Mbui D MWITI KEN 2:24:41
9 James K KARANJA KEN 2:25:10
10 Nathan KIPLIMO KEN 2:25:33
WOMEN:
1 Sunisa SAYLOMYEN THA 2:52:12
2 Wioletta URYGA POL 3:00:07
3 Arpassara PRASATHINPIMAI THA 3:01:36
4 Norah CHEPTOO KEN 3:02:07
5 Amnuay KHIAMNGULUEAM THA 3:08:32
6 Montian KANKAEW THA 3:20:47
7 Sayamol PHUKMIT THA 3:21:40
8 Dusanee CHAEHAENG THA 3:23:13
9 Nopparat PREEKLANG THA 3:31:58
10 Kan KUSUWAN THA 3:32:23
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Kosgei ROBERT KEN 1:05:37
2 Mekonnen EMIRU ETH 1:05:40
3 Kennedy LILAN KEN 1:07:09
WOMEN:
1 Saiphon BOONJANG THA 1:20:50
2 Patcharee CHAITONGSRI THA 1:21:55
3 Salome A WOLDEAB ETH 1:23:15
January 2008
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