April 2009
5 APR | 7 APR | 11 APR | 12 APR | 18 APR
| 19 APR | 20 APR | 26 APR
5 APRIL 2009: PARIS MARATHON, FRANCE
Vincent Kipruto broke the Marathon de Paris record with 2:05.47, winning one of the fastest races of all-time writes Pierre-Jean Vazel.
Ethiopians dominated the women's race, led by Atsede Bayisa in 2:24:42.
Conditions were perfect (10°C and no wind, and 87% dropping to 70% by the end of the race). Some 35,000 runners participated, and the depth of the elite race was exceptional, with six men under 2:07 and 11 under 2:09 (a new record).
A dozen Kenyans, including all favourites, followed pacemaker Erik Kibet. Some dropped back as the pace increased from 15-20km and the halfway split of 1:02:46 was much faster than any of the remaining group had ever run before. How long could each of them maintain that pace?
Kipruto made the decisive move in the last 3km, in the Bois de Boulogne, finally dropping Bado Worku, who resigned himself to save his second position. Kipruto had distinguished himself in his debut Marathon in Reims last October, taking third place in 2:08:16, but was still a surprise winner, breaking the 2:06:33 race record held by Michael Rotich since 2003. “I didn't think I was going to run that fast,” Kipruto commented simply. Worku, 20, impressed in his first Marathon with 2:06:15, to fall firmly within the 20 fastest ever. A track specialist as a junior, Worku has focused on road races since last year. Kemboi Kiyeng also moved up the all-time list with his 2:06:26, but massiv e four-minute improvements came from Yemane Adhane and Rachid Kisri (34-years old with 17 marathons under his belt).
While Kenyans dominated the men's contest, Ethiopians women took control of the female race from 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. At halfway 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. French record holder Christelle Dauney started more cautiously, but passed Tola before 30km and soon joined Masresha. The three remaining Ethiopians (Bayisa, Mergia and Kasim) remained shoulder-to-shoulder until the final kilometres. Kasim was the first to drop, and Dauney caught her in the finish straight. In front, Bayisa found the resources to leave Mergia and win in 2:24:42, smashing her previous best of 2:29:08. Mergia finished her first Marathon in 2:25:02. Dauney, vastly improved her French record with an even-paced run (1:12:48 and 1:12:55) “I prepared hard to break my record in Paris" said Dauney, who had stated that Paris was her main objective of the year and that she would not participate at the IAAF World Championships in August.
MEN:
1 Vincent KIPRUTO KEN 2:05:47
2 Bazu WORKA ETH 2:06:15
3 David KIYENG KEN 2:06:26
4 Yemane ADHANE ETH 2:06:30
5 Rachid KISRI MOR 2:06:48
6 David MANDAGO KEN 2:06:53
7 Jonathan KIPKORIR KEN 2:07:31
8 Shadrack KIPLAGAT KEN 2:08:11
9 John KOMEN KEN 2:08:12
10 Daniel Too KIPRUGUT KEN 2:08:38
WOMEN:
1 Atsede BAYISA ETH 2:24:42
2 Aselefech MERGIA ETH 2:25:02
3 Christelle DAUNAY FRA 2:25:43
4 Ashu KASIM ETH 2:25:49
5 Julia MURAGA KEN 2:29:10
6 Worknesh TOLA ETH 2:29:19
7 Leah MALOT KEN 2:30:29
8 Maria MCCAMBRIDGE IRL 2:35:29
9 Azalech MARESHA ETH 2:35:56
10 Maja NEUENSCHWANDER SUI 2:36:48
5 APRIL 2009: FORTIS ROTTERDAM MARATHON, NETHERLANDS
Duncan Kibet edged compatriot James Kwambai in one of the fastest marathons ever, as both recorded 2:04:27 writes Wim Van Hemert.
During its 29-year history the Rotterdam Marathon has produced three World records: 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 (10C, no wind and light sunshine) the thrilling finish between the two men only failed to beat the two best times of world record holder Haile Gebrselassie (2:03:59 and 2:04:26).
Tens of thousands of spectators packed into the city's Coolsingel district to witness the final 500m. Kwambai turned into the broad central thoroughfare first, several metres ahead of Kibet, who closed the gap in the last few hundred metres. Then he again fell back slightly, but came back again to edge Kwambai at the finish and become Kenya's new national record holder, surpassing former World record holder Paul Tergat. Behind them Abel Kirui ran a personal best 2:05:04 and and Patrick Makau debuted with 2:06:14.
After several years the weather finally favoured Rotterdam and the race got off to a very fast start (14:41, 29:18, 44:16). At half way (1:02:35) the desired 2:05 clocking looked possible. By 30km, pacemaker Wilson Chebet led a 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 finished pacing at 32km Kwambai started to push the pace, and it was too fast for Makau, and later for Kirui. Kwamabi and Kibet passed 40km in 1:57:53, with Kwambai looking the stronger - but in the final stretch Kibet was quicker. "I do not know what happened in the final stage. I only know I won." said Kibet.
Nailya Yulamanova was a convincing winner of the women's race. Running well behind pre-race favourite Lydia Cheromei for much of the race, at one point more she was than a minute-and-a-half adrift. But when the Kenyan weakened in the waning stages, the Russian took advantage to claim the win.
MEN:
1 Duncan KIBET KEN 2:04:27
2 James KWAMBAI KEN 2:04:27
3 Abel KIRUI KEN 2:05:04
4 Patrick MAKAU KEN 2:06:14
5 Jackson KIPKOECH KEN 2:08:58
6 Alfred KERING KEN 2:09:19
7 Mesfin ADEMASU ETH 2:09:32
8 Robert KIPCHUMBA KEN 2:09:56
9 Richard LIMO KEN 2:10:09
10 Mariko KIPCHUMBA KEN 2:12:17
WOMEN:
1 Nailya YULAMANOVA RUS 2:26:30
2 Lydia CHEROMEI KEN 2:28:09
3 Adriana PIRTEA ROM 2:36:36
4 Sue HARRISON GBR 2:37:27
5 Viktoriya RYAZANTSEVA RUS 2:40:30
6 Luzia SCHMID SUI 2:52:14
7 Marta E POVEDA ESP 2:53:48
8 Minna KAINLAURI FIN 2:56:01
9 Katja MERLIN BEL 2:58:10
10 Birgit KRAEMER NED 2:59:42
5 APRIL 2009: 29TH VATTENFALL HALF MARATHON BERLIN, GERMANY
Photos: Wolfgang Weising / Vattenfall Berlin Half Marathon
Bernard Kipyego and Sabrina Mockenhaupt won the men's and women's titles with Kipyego making one of the fastest debuts ever at the half-marathon (59:34). Mockenhaupt improved her personal best to 68:45. A total of 25,193 runners from 85 countries attended, including 21,725 for the half marathon distance.
Conditions were ideal (13°C, no rain and a light breeze) and 170,000 spectators witnessed a thrilling home-straight finish to the men's race. Kipyego just bested his fellow Kenyans Sammy Kosgei and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich. Four men went under the hour, making Berlin the second fastest race overall in the world this year.
In 2007 Kipyego was third at the World Cross-Country and ran 26:59.61 for 10,000m. Mockenhaupt broke away from the Kenyan duo of Hellen Kimutai and Lydia Njeri just before 15km and went on to post the sixth fastest time on the course and 10th fastest of the year. “I was worried when the two Kenyans stayed with me for such a long time. I'm not used to that,” said Mockenhaupt.
MEN:
1 Bernard KIPYEGO KEN 59:34
2 Sammy KOSGEI KEN 59:36
3 Wilson Kipsang KIPROTICH KEN 59:38
4 Samuel Gichochi MWANGIO KEN 59:55
5 Joseph KIPTOO KEN 1:00:13
6 Wilson KIPROP KEN 1:00:34
7 Peter KAMAIS KEN 1:00:35
8 Josphat KAMZEE KEN 1:00:43
9 Evans BARKOKWET KEN 1:00:51
10 Edwin KIMAIYO KEN 1:01:04
WOMEN:
1 Sabrina MOCKENHAUPT GER 1:08:45
2 Hellen KIMUTAI KEN 1:09:27
3 Lydia NJERI KEN 1:10:08
4 Alice MOGIRE KEN 1:12:17
5 Selina CHELIMO KEN 1:13:21
6 Tsege WORKU ETH 1:15:32
7 Elana ZADOVOZHNAY RUS 1:15:46
8 Elimy KIMURIA KEN 1:16:09
9 Valeria STRANEO ITA 1:16:24
10 Daniela CIRLAN ROM 1:18:02
5 APRIL 2009: X SAO PAULO INT'L MARATHON CORPORE ACUCAR UNIAO, BRAZIL
The 10th edition of the race was run from the University area and attracted 12,000 entries. The increasing number and increasing "reach" of the event led City Sports Secretary Walter Feldman to declare it one of the city's "strategic events". Following on from the 17th World Congress of AIMS, hosted for the first time in South America by Corpore, AIMS vice-president Paco Borao complimented Corpore on the organisation of both the Congress and the race, which offers runners comprehensive facilities and service. The festive and joyful atmosphere of the race was remarked upon by many of the race organiser delegates.
With a flat course and trees offering shade the warm weather did not prevent the runners getting into their stride. The elite women set off 15 minutes before the men and the mass field and Anne Cheptanui Bererwe wasted no time in taking her second win, breaking the event record by two minutes. Edielza Alves dos Santos crossed the line as first Brazilian in third place.
There was a keen contest between Damião Ancelmo de Souza and Paulo Roberto Almeida Paula, with de Souza finishing nine seconds ahead.
A 5.5km fun run was held alongside the title race, with Rafael dos Santos and Jucimara Felix scoring victories.
Corpore's Voluntary Guides project, implemented to encourage inclusion of runners with disabilities in distance races, this time enjoyed the participation of actor Paulo Nigro and the musician Japinha. They arrived early for a briefing on how to guide blind athletes in the short course race. “It was surely an inspiring experience" said Jaipinha. "The runners were very patient with us, as this was our debut as guides. It was hard at first; you have to be a play-by-play announcer of sorts, providing verbal cues. But it was exhilarating, and we completed the course in less than 30 minutes. We laughed and celebrated! It was great.”
MEN:
1 Damiao Ancelmo DE SOUZA BRA 1:05:06
2 Paulo Roberto Almeida PAULA BRA 1:05:15
3 Luis Paulo da Silva ANTUNES BRA 1:05:54
4 Marcos Alexandre ELIAS BRA 1:06:45
5 Luis Fernando DE ALMEIDA BRA 1:07:04
6 Celio FALCAO BRA 1:07:05
7 Jailson Araujo DOS ANJOS BRA 1:07:58
8 Bernardo Alves DA SILVA BRA 1:08:11
9 Silvana Limo PINTO BRA 1:08:32
10 Gilson Rodrigues DE MIRANDA BRA 1:08:40
WOMEN:
1 Anne Cheptanui BERERWE KEN 1:11:42
2 Eunice Jepkirui KIRWE KEN 1:13:34
3 Edielza Alves DOS SANTOS BRA 1:16:46
4 Rosangela Pereira FARIA BRA 1:18:10
5 Licia Alves Vieira MORAES BRA 1:18:40
6 Beatrice G dos S NASCIMENTO BRA 1:19:51
7 Sirlene Sousa DE PINHO BRA 1:22:39
8 Maria Helena DE Jesus LIMA BRA 1:25:05
9 Leone Justino DA SILVA BRA 1:26:24
10 Angelina Das Gracas RAFAEL BRA 1:26:45
5 APRIL 2009: SANTIAGO MARATHON, CHILE
MEN:
1 George O OKWORO KEN 2:18:19
2 Peter N MWANGI KEN 2:18:23
3 Juan Carlos R CARDONA COL 2:20:16
4 Roberto Carlos B ECHEVERRIA CHI 2:22:13
5 Hernan S Duran LOPEZ CHI 2:23:05
6 Francisco J M MENDEZ CHI 2:24:08
7 Arnaldo Raul R MORA CHI 2:24:23
8 Eugenio S GALAZ CHI 2:29:41
9 Omar C AGUILAR CHI 2:33:13
10 Miguel P SEPULVEDA CHI 2:34:15
WOMEN:
1 Alejandra E DE LA F OLIVERA CHI 2:36:19
2 Clara DE LAS N U MORALES CHI 2:39:01
3 Natalia J ROMERO CHI 2:44:24
4 Paulina Norma C MAMANI PER 2:49:31
5 Natalia Castillo SALAZAR CHI 2:59:05
6 Estela Labra CORROTEA CHI 3:09:04
7 M.Isabel Briseno CORREA CHI 3:10:40
8 M.Paulina Covarrubias GONZALEZ CHI 3:11:38
9 Marie-Pierre Dallaire HARVEY CAN 3:16:16
10 Diana-K Figueroa GOYCOECHEA CHI 3:20:22
Top
7 APRIL 2009: NORTH POLE MARATHON, NEUTRAL POLAR OCEAN
Photos: Mike King
The world's coolest marathon lived up to its billing when competitors endured temperatures of -37°C.
Thirty-eight participants from 14 countries and six continents started the 42.2km race at 15:30 GMT. Operated at a drifting Russian ice base at the
Geographic North Pole, the event is run on the frozen Arctic sea ice. Contestants must negotiate energy sapping soft snow and small ice pressure ridges
to complete the race. The race took place without a hitch, in brilliant sunshine and spectacular scenery.
Evgeniy Gorkov, a vastly experienced Russian extreme athlete, led from the start. Renaud Michel won a close battle for second over New Zealander
Willy Roberts. Michel was one of four brothers who all finished in the top eight places. In the women's section Pushpa Chandra of Canada edged out
Great Britain's Daniela Spiridigliozzi in the closing stages.
Seven of the competitors completed the "Grand Slam" of marathons, having run one on all seven continents and at the North Pole. The race also
featured its youngest ever finisher in Stefanie Pettersson of Brazil. The 16-year old was accompanied by her father on the course. Dan Hamner (USA),
68 years old, became the oldest finisher in the seven-year history of the race.
MEN:
1 Evgeniy GORKOV RUS 4:27:05
2 Renaud MICHEL FRA 4:44:13
3 Willy ROBERTS NZL 4:44:59
4 Tim DAVIE GBR 5:09:18
5 Angelo HENRY RSA 5:35:36
6 Herve MICHEL FRA 5:35:36
7 Yvan MICHEL FRA 5:45:53
8 Jean-Christophe MICHEL FRA 6:08:12
9 Jacques FOX LUX 6:23:54
10 Mike DAVIES NZL 6:35:12
WOMEN:
1 Pushpa CHANDRA CAN 7:27:31
2 Daniela SPIRIDIGLIOZZI GBR 7:30:54
3 Sarah AMES GER 8:24:13
4 Mariko TAKANO JPN 9:49:31
5 Stefanie PETTERSSON BRA 16:07:20
 
 
Top
11 APRIL 2009: OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON, SOUTH AFRICA
MEN:
1 John WACHIRA RSA 3:10:06
2 Marko MAMBO ZIM 3:10:52
3 Mpesela MTLOTSEOU RSA 3:11:56
4 Stephen MUZHINGI RSA 3:12:05
5 Henry MOYO MAW 3:12:23
6 Butiki JANTJIES RSA 3:12:53
7 Modibe MAMABOLO RSA 3:14:43
8 Lephetesang ADORA RSA 3:15:48
9 Melikhaya SITHUBE RSA 3:16:40
10 Sipho NCUBE RSA 3:17:11
WOMEN:
1 Elena NURGALIEVA RUS 3:40:43
2 Olesya NURGALIEVA RUS 3:40:43
3 Sumukeliso MOYO ZIM 3:58:47
4 Farwa MENTOOR RSA 3:59:45
5 Adina KRUGER RSA 4:03:36
6 Suzette BOTHA RSA 4:05:28
7 Joanna THOMAS RSA 4:08:41
8 Jane MUDAU RSA 4:10:06
9 Ursula FRANS RSA 4:10:35
10 Maya LAWRIE RSA 4:13:12
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Stephen MOKOKO RSA 1:03:42
2 Wirimayi JUWAWO ZIM 1:03:50
3 Lusapho STEPHEN RSA 1:03:55
WOMEN:
1 Helalia JOHANNES NAM 1:13:34
2 Mamorallo TJOKO LES 1:15:43
3 Thabita TSATSA ZIM 1:17:10
Top
12 APRIL 2009: INT'L MARATHON ALEXANDER THE GREAT, GREECE
MEN:
1 Dejeni R GUSSIE ETH 2:12:28
2 Gilbert R KIBIWOT KEN 2:13:14
3 Joseph L KIMELI KEN 2:15:14
4 Nikodemus BIWOTT KEN 2:17:44
5 Jacob MENGICH KEN 2:18:31
6 Vincent KIPCHIRCHIR KEN 2:18:54
7 Francis KIPROP KEN 2:19:21
8 Lemma D ALEMU ETH 2:19:28
9 Julius SUGUT KEN 2:19:45
10 Pyego F SEREI KEN 2:20:08
WOMEN:
1 Tola G FATE ETH 2:36:54
2 Georgina RONO KEN 2:37:39
3 Melaku Y ELFNESHE ETH 2:39:05
4 Almaz B ALEMU ETH 2:39:13
5 Natalia SERGEEVA RUS 2:41:10
6 Teka G KAHSAY ETH 2:42:44
7 Eunice K JEPKOECH KEN 2:43:05
8 Yelena SOKOLOVA RUS 2:44:45
9 Emily CHEPKORIR KEN 2:51:41
10 Sisay A MEASSO ETH 2:55:13
12 APRIL 2009: DAEGU INTERNATIONAL MARATHON, KOREA
Photo: Daegu 2011 LOC
Young-Jun Ji ignited hopes that Korea has found a possible hero to challenge for a medal at the 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu
in two years' time.
He broke away from the lead group midway through the race and dominated from there, beating his personal best by 13 seconds. Ji now has the 13-year
old Korean national record of 2:07:20 in his sights. National record holder for 5000m on the track (13:49.99 in 2006) and running 28:57.16 for 10000m
the same year he set his previous career best for the marathon when finishing second in the 2003 Dong-A Marathon in Seoul in 2:08:43. But later that
year he finished a disappointing 53 at the World championships in Paris (2:20:21). He finished 16th in the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon (2:16:14). Since
then he had not beaten 2:10 so yesterday's race in Daegu marked an impressive return to form.
Ethiopia's Yeshi Esayias, who won this year's Marrakech Marathon in 2:29:52 ran a minute slower than that to take the title ahead of the surprising
38-year-old Korean Seon-Sook Yoon.
More than 12,000 enthusiastic participants created a boisterous atmosphere at the Daegu Stadium (the venue of the 2011 IAAF World Championships in
Athletics). IAAF President Lamine Diack attended and said: "Using the same course that will be used for the World Championships is a great way to help
promote both the Marathon and the Championships to the people of Daegu. It also means that athletes have a realistic test leading up to the World
Championships."
The race was broadcast live on the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), which is the largest public broadcaster in Korea and will be the Host Broadcaster
of the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics.
Daegu Mayor Bum-Il Kim flagged off the race, and afterwards expressed his optimism that the Korean national flag will fly high at the award ceremony
for the World Championships marathon.
A post-event questionnaire was distributed to the invited professional athletes. The Daegu 2011 LOC is hopeful that the feedback provided will be
useful in providing the best possible conditions for future editions of the Daegu International Marathon and the World Championships.
MEN:
1 Young-Jun JI KOR 2:08:30
2 Kiprotich KENEI KEN 2:10:00
3 Samson Kiprono BARMAO KEN 2:10:01
4 Chala LEMI ETH 2:10:01
5 Joseph KIPTUM KEN 2:10:07
6 Nicholas Kipkorir CHELIMO KEN 2:10:13
7 Kimani Michael NJUROGE KEN 2:10:30
8 Geoffrey Kiprono MUTAI KEN 2:10:45
WOMEN:
1 Yeshi ESAYIAS ETH 2:30:44
2 Seon-Sook YOON KOR 2:32:04
3 Joyce Jepchumba KOECH KEN 2:35:09
4 Xuequin WANG CHN 2:36:00
5 Elizabeth Jeruiyot CHEMWENO KEN 2:36:24
6 Luciah Miwihaki KIMANI BSH 2:38:50
7 Samira RAIF MAR 2:39:01
8 Hae-Jung JUNG KOR 2:41:18
Top
18 APRIL 2009: BANCA INTESA BELGRADE MARATHON, SERBIA
Victor Kigen won his debut marathon just as his mentor Paul Tergat suggested he would, writes Pat Butcher. Bright sunshine and temperatures up to
20°C induced a conservative pace. Only in the last 10km did Kigen surge to break up the pack of a dozen men, which included several contestants
from the concurrent World Military Marathon Championships. But Kigen had looked in control all the way, and the military men made no impression on
him as he took almost a minute out of them in the last 5km. In fourth Qatar's Ahmed Moustafa (originally Patrick Cheboto of Uganda) won the military
title, and led his team to victory.
Nowadays Paul Tergat's influence on the marathon is felt through his nurturing of new Kenyan talent. One of his charges, Paul Lekuraa broke the Athens
Marathon course record last November and now Kigen, who comes from the same Baringo District as his mentor, has blossomed after five months under
Tergat's wing in the camp at Ngong outside Nairobi.
Anne Kosgei won the women's race in the second victory in five attempts. Rasa Drazdauskaite of Lithuania was hot on her heels, finishing only eight
seconds behind to win the military title. The US military successfully defended the women's team title. Local hero, Olivera Jevtic won the half-marathon
for the sixth time, in 72:20. Despite two months of injury she felt reassured enough to say she will run in both the Mediterannean Games in Belgrade in
June, and then the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in August.
MEN:
1 Victor KIGEN KEN 2:13:28
2 Sylvester CHEBII KEN 2:14:25
3 Julius KORIR KEN 2:14:28
4 Mousafa AHMED QAT 2:16:22
5 Zaid LAROUSSI MAR 2:16:29
6 Victor MANGUSHO KEN 2:16:49
7 Edwin KIPCHOM KEN 2:17:36
8 Peter KWALIA KEN 2:18:26
9 Kaz KACZMAREK POL 2:19:11
10 Aman MAJID QAT 2:20:13
WOMEN:
1 Anne KOSGEI KEN 2:34:51
2 Rasa DRAZDAUSKAITE LIT 2:34:59
3 Maria RUIZ ESP 2:49:32
4 Jaymee MARTY USA 2:51:12
5 Maria Rosa TERESI ESP 2:51:32
18 APRIL 2009: PARDUBICE WINE HALF MARATHON, CZECH REPUBLIC
MEN:
1 Wilson Kwambai CHEBET KEN 1:00:49
2 Willy Kariuki MWANGI KEN 1:02:32
3 Damian CHOPA TAN 1:02:47
4 Robert WAMBUA KEN 1:02:48
5 Samuel Mwangi GICHOCHI KEN 1:03:23
6 Pascal Mambo SARWAT TAN 1:03:51
7 Boniface Mbuvi MUENA KEN 1:05:18
8 Denis Mwanzia MUSAU KEN 1:05:46
9 Charles Nderitu WANJONI KEN 1:06:15
10 Robert STEFKO CZE 1:07:21
WOMEN:
1 Lydia Njeri MATHATI KEN 1:14:44
2 Petra KAMINCOVA CZE 1:15:17
3 Olga FIRSOVA RUS 1:19:41
4 Irena PETRIKOVA CZE 1:20:23
5 Lenka SIBRABOVA CZE 1:21:07
6 Simona KOSCOVA CZE 1:22:55
7 Tana METELKOVA CZE 1:23:17
8 Charlene VANNESTE BEL 1:24:30
9 Ivana SEKYROVA CZE 1:25:06
10 Anna KRATKA CZE 1:27:38
Top
19 APRIL 2009: CANBERRA MARATHON, AUSTRALIA
Sydney runner David Criniti completed his ascent of the podium. Third in 2007, second in 2008, he overtook fellow Sydney runner Tim Rowe at 40km to
win in a personal best time. As he had done in the previous two years, Criniti then raced on to complete the Canberra 50km Ultra Marathon, winning in
another personal best. He also won the 50km in 2007 and was second in 2008. Magda Karimali-Poulos, another Sydney runner, won the women's race for the
second time in three years, also in a personal best. Verity Tolhurst made it a clean sweep for Sydney runners when she continued after coming sixth in
the marathon to take the 50km title. Both Crinti and Tolhurst win prizes from the IAU to participate in the IAU World 50km Trophy in Gibraltar in October.
Debut runner Rowe broke away from Ethiopian Yared Temesgen before 10km and at halfway, passed in just over 68 minutes, he led by almost a kilometre.
At 30km his lead was four minutes over Criniti, who was in third but closing on a tiring Temegsen. Rowe then discovered just how tough the marathon can
be and a 78-minute second half allowed a very surprised but elated Criniti to snatch the winner's prize.
The marathon attracted 1304 participants, the biggest field in 24 years. 84% of runners were visitors to the Australian national capital with
participants from 14 countries and every Australian State. Complementing the marathon were the Asics Marathon Eve 5km and 10km fun runs and the sixth
annual Kids Marathon, taking the total participation to 2500.
MEN:
1 David CRINITI AUS 2:26:09
2 Tim ROWE AUS 2:27:01
3 Anthony FARRUGIA AUS 2:27:35
4 Yared TEMESGEN ETH 2:28:01
5 Jay PHILLPOTTS AUS 2:32:45
6 Chris TRUSCOTT AUS 2:36:31
7 Nick WALSHE AUS 2:37:41
8 Tim MCKENZIE AUS 2:39:59
9 Chadi ELASHKAR AUS 2:40:42
10 Tom GLEESON AUS 2:43:06
WOMEN:
1 Magda KARIMLALI-POULOS AUS 2:43:19
2 Helen STANTON AUS 2:45:12
3 Mai TAGAMI JPN 2:47:04
4 Anita KEEM AUS 2:47:30
5 Johanna PARSONS AUS 2:58:57
6 Verity TOLHURST AUS 3:03:17
7 Sarah BISS NZL 3:03:41
8 Sam BOAG AUS 3:05:03
9 Lucy BLABER AUS 3:08:42
10 June PETRIE AUS 3:09:46
50km
MEN:
1 David CRINITI AUS 2:57:42
2 Anthony FARRUGIA AUS 3:05:07
3 Tim MCKENZIE AUS 3:12:14
WOMEN:
1 Verity TOLHURST AUS 3:39:00
2 June PETRIE AUS 3:46:41
3 Julie QUINN AUS 4:04:29
19 APRIL 2009: 11TH NAGANO OLYMPIC COMMEMORATIVE MARATHON, JAPAN
Pre-race favorites Isaac Macharia of Kenya and Irina Timofeyeva duly took the titles on the one-way course from Nagano Sports Park to Nagano Olympic
stadium writes Ken Nakamura. Over 7000 runners started the race. Macharia became the third runner to win more than once, having won the 2005
edition in 2:10:59. Eric Wainaina won in 2000 and 2003, and Nephat Kinyanjui won three times from 2006. Timofeyeva came from behind to win her first
victory at Nagano.
Masaru Takamizawa, who won the last year's Hokkaido Marathon, pushed the pace in the early stages of the race, leading a huge pack through 5km in
15:44 and 10km in 31:20. By 15km (46:57) the lead pack was down to 14 runners. Although the pace stayed moderate by halfway (1:06:04) four more had
dropped back. Takamizawa then fell behind as Girma Tolla, Yuriy Hychun, Isaac Macharia, Norman Dlomo and Simon Wangai shared the pace. Isaac Macharia
started to push from around 28km and the lead pack started to break apart. By 30km (1:34:00) only five runners remained and 2km later Macharia was
running alone in front. By 35km (1:49:24 (15:24)), he was six seconds ahead of Wangai and Tola and he continued to extend his lead to win by 50
seconds.
Akemi Ozaki took an early lead in the women's race, leading by 16 seconds at 5km (17:31). She was caught at 13km, and by 15km (53:00) four runners –
Irene Limika, Irina Timofeyeva, Derartu Tulu and Ozaki – were together. they were joined by Tatiana Aryasova and passed halfway in 1:14:40.
By 25km (1:28:08) Derartu Tulu and Akemi Ozaki had fallen behind. Then Limika broke away from the two Russians to lead by 48 seconds at 30km (1:45:11).
Although she slowed she extended her lead to 1:31 at 35km (2:03:05). But Limika slowed further and Timofeyeva cut into her lead so that at 40km,
Timofeyeva was only 19 seconds behind and she covered the remaining distance a minute faster than Limika to win by 42 seconds.
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 JPN 2:15:57
8 Masayuki SATOUCHI JPN 2:16:22
9 Masaru TAKAMIZAWA JPN 2:17:25
10 Michitane NODA JPN 2:17:50
WOMEN:
1 Irina TIMOFEYEVA RUS 2:30:08
2 Irene LIMIKA KEN 2:30:50
3 Akemi OZAKI JPN 2:31:18
4 Derartu TULU ETH 2:34:17
5 Tatiana ARYASOVA RUS 2:34:32
6 Yoko YAGI JPN 2:36:26
7 Yukako GOTO JPN 2:40:50
8 Chihiro TANAKA JPN 2:41:21
9 Kaori AKAGAWA JPN 2:44:59
10 Yoshimi HOSHINO JPN 2:45:24
19 APRIL 2009: VIENNA CITY MARATHON, AUSTRIA
Photos: Victah Sailer / photorun.net
Including shorter races 29,054 runners from 100 nations entered the 26th edition, a "debutants only" race won by Gilbert Kirwa and Andrea
Mayr. Kirwa's performance was impressive as temperatures rose to 20°C. For the first time Vienna's first four finishers were all under 2:10.
Andrea Mayr became only the second national women's winner. The 29-year old also broke the national record (set last year by Eva-Maria Gradwohl)
in her first race - by just 8 seconds.
Kirwa had been in the big leading group right from the start, passing halfway in 64:17, slightly slower than expected. The pace picked up from 25km
and by 30km (1:30:40) when the final two pacemakers dropped out the race had developed into a duel between Gilbert Kirwa and Degefa Abebe Negewo with
Joseph Maregu just a couple of strides behind. From 36km Kirwa started opening up a decisive gap and he forged ahead to record the third fastest
performance ever in the Vienna City Marathon.
Reuben Kosgei, the Olympic steeplechase champion from 2000, dropped out of the race. Another former steeplechaser, Günther Weidlinger, ran an
encouraging debut in Vienna but just missed the Austrian record by 17 seconds. "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," he said.
The women's race was dominated by Andrea Mayr throughout. Tiruwork Mekonnen had asked for a 2:25 pace, but she opted to follow the Austrian. The
two time winner of the World Mountain Running Trophy soon started building a big lead. When Mayr reached halfway in 1:14:47 she was already more than
a minute ahead of the Ethiopian trio Gebissa, Hasso and Mekonnen. At 30km the crowd favourite Mayr was more than 90 seconds ahead. Having started the
race despite a foot injury the Austrian had a difficult section between 36-40km. "I thought I would not be able to break the national record but
at 42km I saw that I had 50 seconds left – so I gave everything I had left." Mayr became the first Austrian woman to win the Vienna City Marathon
since Carina Lilge-Leutner back in 1987.
MEN:
1 Gilbert KIRWA KEN 2:08:21
2 Dereje Debele TULU ETH 2:09:08
3 Joseph MAREGU KEN 2:09:25
4 Degefa Abebe NEGEWO ETH 2:09:52
5 Mohammed 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 Gunther 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 2:31:11
3 Hayato-Zeneiba 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
7 Lyudmila STEPANOVA RUS 2:40:43
8 Mary DAVIEW NZL 2:42:39
9 Carina LILGE-LEUTNER AUT 2:51:11
10 Barbara MOLNAR HUN 2:51:22
19 APRIL 2009: VANCOUVER SUN RUN 10km, CANADA
Photos: Teresa Nightingale
Willy Kimosop, a 22-year Kenyan currently studying at Lethbridge College in Alberta, won the men's race. Kimosop broke away from Dylan Wykes and
Yegon Kiprotich in the final three kilometres, to finish 60m ahead of Wykes. Abebu Gelan, a 19-year-old from Ethiopia who set a world junior record
in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon two months ago took the women's title.
Running cross-country for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, last year Willy Kimosop won every race he entered. He extended his success on the streets
of Vancouver by winning the Sun Run, edging Dylan Wykes by 8 seconds. "Now, I'm comfortable. I do good in Canadian conditions" he said. He
was the 13th Kenyan to win the men's race in the past 16 years.
Kimosop, fellow Kenyan Yegon Kiprotich, Wykes and Richard Mosley formed an early lead pack as they ran through the edge of Stanley Park and then
along Beach Avenue. By 8km Kimosop began to create a gap and then sprinted home for the win. Bertil Johannson, a Swede who has coached cross-country
at Lethbridge College since 1987, has established a solid pipeline of running talent from Kenya's Rift Valley. Over the past six years, the Kodiaks
have claimed five Canadian Colleges team gold medals and six individual titles. Wykes, who finished just one second behind Soloman Tsige in his only
other Sun Run appearance in 2007, hopes to represent Canada at the world championships this summer in the marathon. His personal best of 2:15 was just
a minute shy of last year's Olympic qualifying standard.
Paced by an Ethiopian teenager, it was first-timers day for the top three in the women's race. Abebu Gelan, 19, became the third straight Ethiopian
winner, although she did no more than necessary to win, recording the slowest winning time in the race's 25-year history. The next two in were running
the Sun Run for the first time and raved about the course and the huge 55000-entry field. Gelan, who finished third and fourth in 10km races earlier
this month in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. set a junior world record (67:57) in the half marathon two months ago. Second placed Widney, a 29-year-old
mother of a 10-month old child was a member of Canada's team at the world cross-country championships in Amman (JOR) last month. She moved from 5th to
second in the final 2km of the race, finally passing New Zealander Fiona Docherty, a 2003 world long-distance duathlon champion.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
MEN:
1 Willy KIMOSOP KEN 29:04
2 Dylan WYKES CAN 29:12
3 Yegon KIPROTICH KEN 29:33
4 Richard MOSLEY CAN 29:41
5 Scott SIMPSON CAN 30:08
6 Eric GARNER USA 30:37
7 Mark BOMBA CAN 30:39
8 Rejean CHIASSON CAN 30:41
9 John TIMEUS USA 30:42
10 Jamie EPP CAN 30:49
WOMEN:
1 Abebu GELAN ETH 34:05
2 Chantell WIDNEY CAN 34:24
3 Fiona DOCHERTY USA 34:26
4 Kristina RODY CAN 34:28
5 Cheryl MURPHY CAN 34:29
6 Lucy SMITH CAN 34:34
7 Lisa HARVEY CAN 34:36
8 Lisa MENSINK CAN 34:46
9 Rachel RUUS CAN 35:48
10 Cari KUZYK CAN 36:04
19 APRIL 2009: NICE INT'L HALF MARATHON, FRANCE
MEN:
1 Titus MASAI KEN 1:00:00
2 Nicolas KIPRONO KEN 1:00:25
3 Stephen KIBET KEN 1:00:34
4 Peter KERUI KEN 1:01:07
5 Stanley SALIL KEN 1:01:45
6 Justus MORANGA KEN 1:02:03
7 Edwin KIMAIYO KEN 1:02:05
8 Mubarak SHAMI QAT 1:02:06
9 Chebet NATHAN KEN 1:02:28
10 Gilbert YEGON KEN 1:03:22
WOMEN:
1 Helah KIPROP KEN 1:09:29
2 Sylvia KIBET KEN 1:09:51
3 Tenke ZOLTANI HUN 1:20:44
4 Jana LELUT FRA 1:23:19
5 Abla AMAMRI 1:26:00
6 Magalie CHIAPPETTA FRA 1:26:11
7 Magali REYMONENQ FRA 1:26:35
8 Patricia B SIGNORIO FRA 1:27:42
9 Samantha WOODWARD 1:28:19
10 Loriane PITZINI FRA 1:28:31
19 APRIL 2009: TURIN MARATHON, ITALY
Rain and cold temperature did not dampen the spirits at the 23rd edition of the Turin Marathon. Agnes Kiprop set a new course record of 2:26:22.
It was her second time in Turin, as 12 years ago she had finished ninth in the Junior World Cross Country Championships. Now, after the birth of two
sons, she returned to claim the Marathon title after having made the running from the start. Ethiopian Tirfi Beyene overcame Bruna Genovese in the last
10km. The Italian said she had "cracked" at 30km, but was still determined to finish the race.
In the men's race Benson Barus had planned a 2:08:10 finish, but was slowed by cold and rain. Ruggiero Pertile did well to set a personal best of
2:09:53 in second place after having trained in Kenya during January and February. He is likely to run in the World Championships Marathon in Berlin
on 22 August.
Among the 2200 finishers was Marinella Satta who finished while dribbling her basketball and gained a new Guinness Record.
Families, along with their dogs and other friends, made up the 8,000+ entry for the 8km "Stratorino" run. Everybody had committed with the
goal of raising funds for the earthquake victims of the south of Italy thanks to the La Stampa Specchio dei Tempi Foundation.
More than 14,000 children, along with their family, ran the Junior Marathon. All in all it was a day dedicated to sport and joy along course redolent
with history.
MEN:
1 Benson BARUS KEN 2:09:07
2 Ruggero PERTILE ITA 2:09:53
3 Paul SAMOEI KEN 2:11:37
4 Abdellah FALIH MOR 2:12:37
5 Rege NEGUSE ETH 2:14:05
6 Thomas CHEMITEI KEN 2:16:31
7 Urige BUTA ETH 2:18:08
8 Amare MULU ETH 2:19:45
9 Philemon TARBEI KEN 2:20:44
10 Elisha MELI KEN 2:20:58
WOMEN:
1 Agnes KIPROP KEN 2:26:22
2 Tirfi BEYENE ETH 2:29:04
3 Bruna GENOVESE ITA 2:30:51
4 Natalia SOKOLOVA RUS 2:31:52
5 Oksana SKLYARENKO UKR 2:39:52
6 Adeline ROCHE 2:42:41
7 Loretta GIARDA ITA 2:54:47
8 Federica VIANO ITA 3:01:15
9 Daniela DE JOANNES ITA 3:05:47
10 Grazia CAMMALLERI ITA 3:08:50
Top
20 APRIL 2009: BAA BOSTON MARATHON, USA
Top photo: Fay Foto
Winner photos: Victah Sailer/Photorun
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot had won on four previous occasions, and in each of the past three years writes Jim O'Brien. Evans Cheruiyot, no relation,
boasted a best time of 2:06:25, set in winning the Chicago Marathon last fall. Ryan Hall was the first American contender in many years. But neither
Cheruiyot nor Hall prevailed: the crown went to Deriba Merga from Ethiopia — the man who had slumped from the bronze medal position to fourth inside the
Beijing Olympic stadium at the Games last year.
Hall had bolted for the lead, a marked departure from customary Boston tactics. The first American in a generation with a legitimate shot at taking
this crown, he hammered away at the front as if he intended to simply run away from a field of the world's finest. A first mile of 4:38 saw Hall in the
lead, but a 5km split of 14:33 saw 13 or so all holding tight, still at high speed. Hall seemed unhappy unless close to the front of the field, and
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot was similarly content to lead. Jockeying for position here was just the preamble. A group of 11 charged through halfway in
1:03:39 but the Newton Hills, the habitual determinant in Boston, were yet to come. Each incline on its own might be no big deal, but together, and
coming at a point in the race where endurance and determination are severely tested, makes them crucial. Merga injected the first real surge of the race
just after 16 miles, a softener before the hills. Solomon Molla and Daniel Rono went with him, but Hall, all the Cheruiyots, the whole group, fell out
the back door. Although Molla and Rono fought hard to stay with him Merga never faltered. He cruised on to the finish line with never an indication of
distress. His time of 2:08:42, good for $150,000 in prize money, was the 17th fastest in the history of the race.
Behind him, defending champion Cheruiyot fell apart in the Hills, dropping from the fray and winding up in hospital. Molla struggled through the
closing miles to place seventh. Hall inspired by clawing his way back into contention, using the hills and ultimately drawing alongside Kebede in third.
Though Hall prevailed over the Ethiopian, Rono, in second, held the edge on the American favourite.
Defending champion Dire Tune was a clear favorite in the women's race writes Marc Chalufour, so too was 2007 champ Lidiya Grigoryeva, and Kara Goucher
arrived in Boston with the support of a hopeful nation - but no one would have predicted the thrilling finish of this year's race.
Colleen De Reuck, a 45-year old masters contender, led everyone through the early miles as the pace picked up: 6:28, 6:01, 5:53, and 5:45. But a brisk
headwind kept everyone in hiding. Ten miles in, four Americans headed the group: De Reuck, Goucher, Elva Dryer, and Mary Akor. "I had never run a
slower race," said Salina Kosgei of the early stages. Bezunesh Bekele injected a little pace for the middle miles but the field slowed again in
miles 17 and 18. De Reuck, who had been dropped from the lead pack, suddenly found herself in front again. Then Goucher decided it was too risky to wait
any longer, "I thought I had another gear," she said later, with a clear tone of regret. With miles of 5:21, 5:20, and 5:09 Goucher dropped all
except Dire Tune alongside her and Salina Kosgei lurking behind them. With half a mile to go, Tune and Kosgei were in front, and Goucher lost touch. In
2008 Tune had won an epic duel to the finish with Alevtina Biktimirova and she found herself fighting it out all over again, this time with Kosgei.
Spectators assumed that Tune had the race won by virtue of her 2008 performance but Kosgei used to be an 800m runner. In the final strides of the race
she inched ahead, breaking the tape just in front of Tune. Kosgei is the fifth new champion in the women's division in Boston in as many years. The last
woman to successfully defend her title was Catherine Ndereba in 2004-2005.
MEN:
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 Kiprono CHERUIYOT KEN 2:10:06
6 Gashaw ASFAW ETH 2:10:44
7 Solomon MOLLA ETH 2:12:02
8 Evans CHERUIYOT KEN 2:12:45
9 Stephen KIAGORA KEN 2:13:00
10 Timothy CHERIGAT KEN 2:13:04
WOMEN:
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 DE REUCK USA 2:35:37
9 Alice TIMBILILI KEN 2:36:25
10 Alina IVANOVA RUS 2:36:50
Top
26 APRIL 2009: MARATONA SANT ANTONIO, ITALY
Ben Chebet set a new personal best and broke the course record with his sub-2:10 winning time writes Diego Sampaolo. It was a perfect present
for the 10th edition of the Marathon on a cloudy morning but in ideal running conditions. Pacemakers set a fast pace (5km in 15:07) closely followed by
Yusuf Songoka and Douglas Rono (winner in Padua in 2002 and younger brother of former marathon World record holder Paul Tergat). At 12km the pace slowed
after the fierce rhythm of the first 10km but it was still inside the course record of 2:10:38 set by Ethiopian Dawit Trfe in 2003. After passing halfway
in 1:04:38 Rono lost contact, and by the time the final pacemaker droped out at 27km Chebet and Tesfaye Bekele took the lead followed 10m behind by Noah
Serem and the Ethiopian Lilesa Gemechu. Chebet pushed the pace, passing 30km in 1:31:49 (thanks to three consecutive splits in 2:58), but Bekele followed
him closely until 35km, when Chebet broke away with a decisive kick. Serem led the chasing group 1:02 behind Chebet and eventually caught a fading
Bekele at 39km. Chebet entered the final straight in Prato della Valle with strong support from the local crowd to improve the previous record by 56
seconds.
The five favourites took the lead from the beginning of the women's race. The leading group was formed by Italians Deborah Toniolo and Ivana Iozzia
and three Ethiopians Meseret Legesse, Woynishet Girma and Moges Gebre Zebenaye.
Deborah Toniolo, a 2:28 marathon runner who has returned to competitions after being sidelined by injury problems in 2008, led a group through halfway
in 1:15:29 closely followed by the three Ethiopian runners Moges Gebre Zebenaye, Woynishet Girma and Meseret Legesse. At 37km Zebenaye pushed the pace
at the front ahead of Girma and Legesse and the race became a battle between Zebenaye and Girma as they had dropped Toniolo and Legesse by 15 seconds at
40km. Girma launched her attack at 41km, which took her to a 12-second winning margin and an improvement of nearly five minutes in her personal best
time.
MEN:
1 Ben CHEBET KEN 2:09:42
2 Noah Kiplagat SEREM KEN 2:11:44
3 Tesfaye BEKELE ETH 2:13:34
4 Yusuf SONGOKA KEN 2:14:29
5 Benazzouz SLIMANI MOR 2:14:55
6 Julius CHOGE KEN 2:17:49
7 Dennis PYKA 2:19:17
8 Antonio SANTI ITA 2:23:10
9 Ferruccio ZORZETTO ITA 2:29:25
10 Claudio CAVALLI ITA 2:31:06
WOMEN:
1 Woyshinet GIRMA ETH 2:31:03
2 Moges G ZEBANAY ETH 2:31:15
3 Deborah TONIOLO ITA 2:31:20
4 Meseret LEGESSE ETH 2:31:37
5 Ivana IOZZIA ITA 2:34:32
6 Ingrid EICHBERGER 2:49:56
7 Eliana PATELLI ITA 2:50:51
8 Alessandra DE ZOPPI ITA 2:57:46
9 Tiziana SCORZATO ITA 2:59:26
10 Lisa BORZANI ITA 3:02:16
26 APRIL 2009: MARATON POPULAR DE MADRID, SPAIN
Turkey's Mehtap Sizmaz took victory on the women's side in a new course record, while Bahrain's Khalid Kamal Yaseen captured a convincing win writes
Emeterio Valiente. Formerly known as Peter Ndegwa, the 26-year-old Kenyan switched his nationality in 2005 when he received Bahraini allegiance.
With 650m of altitude Madrid is not the place to run fast times at distance events and rain in the opening stages of the race also dampened athletes'
efforts. Four men were already detached at 10km (31:03): Yaseen and Kenya's Samwel Kalya plus the two pacesetters, Kenya's Erick Kibet and Spain's Manuel
Penas.
Kibet kept to 2:10 pace as he led Yaseen through the half marathon point in 64:35 but a lonesome Yaseen, with a career best of 2:11:47 slowed a lot in
the second half. He had built a two-minute lead over his closest pursuer, Meshack Kosgei Kirwa, but in the last 10km he stopped twice to throw up before
finally romping home. Spain's Julio Rey carried the burden of the Spanish hopes but the former (2003) World bronze medallist – was never a factor and
dropped out before halfway, already well behind the leading pack.
Turkey's Mehtap Sizmaz and Ethiopia's Amane Seid Chewo ran along with a large group of local male marathoners for much of the race, passing 10km in
35:54 and reaching halfway in 1:14:34, two minutes ahead of Russia's Galina Alexandrova. It was not until 36km when Sizmaz made her move and opened up a
huge advantage. The 30-year-old ran a much more balanced race than the men's victor to set a new course record and finish 12th overall, while Seid Chewo
posted a personal best for second place.
The ecstatic winner – who came a brilliant 12th overall for the Ethiopian's 13th place – declared: "I had planned to break 2:30 here but the last
5km was really tough."
MEN:
1 Khalid YASEEN BAH 2:14:31
2 Kirwa KOSGEI KEN 2:16:17
3 Daniel NDERITU KEN 2:16:42
4 Geof TERER KEN 2:18:32
5 James MOIBEN KEN 2:20:48
6 William BIAMA KEN 2:21:25
7 Fred K KIPTUM KEN 2:21:35
8 Gebru SEREKE ERI 2:22:19
9 Samuel KALYA KEN 2:22:58
10 David K KIMUTAI KEN 2:23:22
WOMEN:
1 Mehtap SIZMAZ TUR 2:32:04
2 Amane Seid CHEWO ETH 2:33:00
3 Galina ALEXANDROVA RUS 2:36:02
4 Dolores PULIDO ESP 2:40:48
5 Yelena TIKHONOVA RUS 2:43:59
6 Selina C CHEMONGE KEN 2:46:26
7 Margaret ATONDONYANG KEN 2:50:01
8 Cristina R PEDRAZA ESP 3:01:07
9 Ana Rosa MORENO ESP 3:04:20
10 Elsi TORRE VENTURA ESP 3:07:41
26 APRIL 2009: MARATHON HAMBURG, GERMANY
Photo: Getty Images
Solomon Tsige and Alessandra Aguilar ran personal bests to win, but the race was weaker than in recent years because of budget problems writes
Jorg Wenig. Around 15,000 runners participated in the event, which Germany's second biggest marathon. With pre-race favourite Joseph Riri failing
to appear any hopes of a sub-2:10 performance faded.
On a fine morning with 15° Celsius at the start it took until 26km for Charles Ngolepus to open up a gap. Signed as a pacemaker the Kenyan
decided to complete, with only Tsige for company. Before 40km Tsige took the lead while Ngolepus had a slight stomach problem. Alessandra Aguilar took
an early lead, and with the help of pacemakers she ran a very even pace and Germany's crowd favourite Ulrike Maisch soon had to let her drift
away. Clocking 2:29:01 the Spanish winner has qualified for the World Championships Marathon in Berlin, which was her goal in Hamburg. Maisch, the
surprise European Marathon Champion from 2006 missed the national qualifying standard of 2:32, but may still be nominated with the B standard to help
the German team in Berlin.
MEN:
1 Solomon TSIDE ETH 2:11:47
2 Charles NGOLEPUS KEN 2:13:25
3 Jose TELLES DES SOUZA BRA 2:14:46
4 Jose MOREIRA POR 2:14:57
5 Adelo H ROBA ETH 2:16:35
6 Tesfaye SENDEKU ETH 2:16:58
7 Roman WEGER AUT 2:17:53
8 Antonio SOUSA POR 2:18:03
9 Erick KIGEN KEN 2:18:43
10 Cris CARISS IRL 2:19:46
WOMEN:
1 Alessandra AGUILAR ESP 2:29:01
2 Abdi T SHENI ETH 2:34:01
3 Ulrike MAISCH GER 2:34:28
4 Emily KIMURYA KEN 2:37:44
5 Holy RUSH GBR 2:38:36
6 Christina BUS HOLT NOR 2:40:53
7 Karen PAYSEN GER 2:48:19
8 Adilo S ROBA ETH 2:49:32
9 Felicitas VIELHABER GER 2:55:43
10 Helga RAUCH ITA 2:57:07
26 APRIL 2009: ZURICH MARATHON, SWITZERLAND
MEN:
1 Tadese ABRAHAM ERI 2:10:09
2 Oleg KULKOV RUS 2:10:13
3 Tesfaye ETICHA ETH 2:10:22
4 Wodajo TEFERI ETH 2:10:48
5 Yeshitela G DAGIM ETH 2:11:37
6 Richard CHEPKWONY KEN 2:14:12
7 Isaac CHERUIYOT KEN 2:14:34
8 Pius ROTICH KEN 2:14:35
9 Vladimir PONOMAREV RUS 2:14:45
10 Alemayehu T SHUMYE ETH 2:14:50
WOMEN:
1 Olga ROSSEEVA RUS 2:32:18
2 Elza KIREEVA RUS 2:33:14
3 Etaferahu G TAREKEGN ETH 2:34:06
4 Alemitu BEKELE BEL 2:34:58
5 Patricia MORCELI 2:38:45
6 Addis GEZAHEGNE ETH 2:42:54
7 Bernadette MEIER SUI 2:43:35
8 Emebet ABOSSA ETH 2:43:51
9 Jenny BREITSCHMID SUI 2:44:09
10 Michaela MERTOVA CZE 2:47:15
26 APRIL 2009: BIG SUR INT'L MARATHON, USA
Both races in the 24th edition of the race were dominated by individuals rising to the challenge writes Julie Armstrong. The challenge of a
hilly course was made even more difficult by 30-50/kph headwinds confronting runners throughout the morning. Ryan Hafer and Mary Coordt met the challenge
to take uncontested wins. Hafer, a 22-year old resident of Colorado Springs, took an early lead in his Big Sur debut and was never challenged, finishing
over seven minutes clear.
Overall 10,000 participants completed the weekends events that included the marathon, marathon relay, 21, 10.6 and 9 Milers and a PA/USATF 5km
competition. Local standout Jesus Campos finished fourth in 2:45, only six days after a very strong showing in the 113th Boston Marathon. Campos scored
his fifth consecutive top five at Big Sur.
Californian Mary Coordt, who won the event in 2006, dominated the women's race and cruised to an easy second victory. Julia Mallon, a 30 year old from
Miami took an impressive second after having giving birth in January and only recently resumed serious training.
Runners had only two observations: the course was beautiful, and the race was windy (it is always beautiful, and it is only sometimes windy).
MEN:
1 Ryan HAFER USA 2:32:17
2 Eric BOWLES USA 2:39:34
3 Edwards CROWLEY USA 2:40:14
4 Jesus CAMPOS USA 2:45:00
5 Alan ROZENDAAL USA 2:45:17
6 Ben SAUVAGE USA 2:46:23
7 Oswaldo LOPEZ USA 2:49:48
8 Michael COLLINS USA 2:52:36
9 Ed CONRAD USA 2:53:49
10 Scott SNEDDON USA 2:53:53
WOMEN:
1 Mary COORDT USA 2:56:06
2 Julia MALLON USA 3:04:18
3 Nancy BUSELMEIER USA 3:07:00
4 Laura TURNER USA 3:08:50
5 Mary JONES USA 3:09:35
6 Heidi TUCKER USA 3:16:22
7 Aracelly CLOUSE USA 3:16:54
8 Susan NUZUM USA 3:17:14
9 Molly BROWN-BOULAY USA 3:18:38
10 Sara DILLMAN USA 3:19:25
26 APRIL 2009: ING BANK ENSCHEDE MARATHON, NETHERANDS
MEN:
1 Jacob YATOR KEN 2:09:02
2 Sammy KIBET KEN 2:11:47
3 Tsegaye GEBRSELASSIE ETH 2:11:48
4 Thomas OMWENGA KEN 2:13:18
5 Raymond KANDIE KEN 2:13:46
6 Daniel KOMEN KEN 2:15:54
7 Christopher CHEBOIBOCH KEN 2:16:34
8 Bensin KIPRORNO KEN 2:18:12
9 Pedro MORA NED 2:18:25
10 Emmanuel BIWOTT KEN 2:18:35
WOMEN:
1 Ilona PFEIFFER 2:44:58
2 Ingrid PRIGGE 2:58:02
3 Polly NKAMBI 3:09:30
4 Liesbeth VAN LEEUWEN 3:09:57
5 Mieke KUILDER 3:23:29
6 Mariette Ten BOKKEL 3:28:47
7 Feikje BREIMER 3:31:40
8 Ans LAMMERTINK 3:32:28
9 Rian SCHALKWIJK 3:33:19
10 Gerry VISSER 3:33:34
26 APRIL 2009: RIJEKA HALF MARATHON, CROATIA
MEN:
1 Erkola ASHENAFI ETH 1:05:58
2 Duro KODZO 1:07:56
3 Sergei SEVCHENKO RUS 1:08:18
4 Drago PARIPOVIC 1:10:30
5 Olah TAMAS 1:12:18
6 Bela HORVATH 1:12:23
7 Dean PATRCEVIC 1:12:31
8 Ravic NEDELJKO 1:12:57
9 Janez MAROEVIC 1:14:34
10 Hrvoje KOVAC 1:15:12
WOMEN:
1 Ana SUBOTIC 1:16:39
2 Ida SURBEK SLO 1:19:23
3 Danijela CERNIC 1:21:45
4 Barbara BELUSIC 1:22:25
5 Simona MAXIM 1:23:52
6 Sanja B GECEG 1:28:34
7 Nikolina SUSTIC 1:29:36
8 Ana ZUPIC 1:33:58
9 Manica RADIVO SLO 1:34:25
10 Jasna JURICIC 1:34:50
26 APRIL 2009: CRACOVIA MARATHON, POLAND
MEN:
1 Julius K KIPKORIR KEN 2:11:26
2 Salo TARAS UKR 2:15:58
3 Abraham B YLIMA ETH 2:20:52
4 Viktor STARODUBCEV POL 2:21:49
5 Marius DINILUS LTU 2:23:19
6 Micach K KIPYEGO KEN 2:23:35
7 Lenah KHUSNUTDINOV RUS 2:26:40
8 Robert CELINSKI POL 2:27:54
9 Krzysztof SZCZEPANSKI POL 2:32:33
10 Kamil POCZWARDOWSKI POL 2:34:17
WOMEN:
1 Anstazja PADALINSKAJA BIL 2:36:29
2 Arleta MELOCH POL 2:39:54
3 Valentyna POLTAVSKA UKR 2:41:05
4 Svitlana STANKO UKR 2:42:26
5 Mesart G KOTU ETH 2:47:22
6 Grazyna POPIEL POL 3:07:58
26 APRIL 2009: HSBC EARTH RUN HALF MARATHON, LEBANON
MEN:
1 Moustafa DAOUD LIB 1:12:30
2 Negatu Tegegne JENBERE NGR 1:13:05
3 Chekhyor NOURI ETH 1:13:50
WOMEN:
1 Elga TRAD LIB 1:36:53
2 Melissa RIZK LIB 1:37:19
3 Frances GUY GBR 1:37:50
April 2009
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