All non-Boston

Vienna
Can a steeplechaser win his first marathon?
That is certainly possible. It wasn't for former Olympic champ Reuben Kosgei though. He dropped out. Instead, 23 year-old Gilbert Kirwa (pictured), a marathon newbie himself, took the race with a fine 2:08:21 in warm weather conditions with temperatures climbing to around 20° Celsius in the sun. (more on iaaf news)


Nagano
Isaac Macharia takes Nagano in 2:11:21

















Turin

Duncan Kibet's training mate Benson Barus took Turin as expected by mzungo.org.
Barus changed gear increasing the pace at 25km and launched his decisive kick at 27 km. After going through 30 km in 1:31:27 Barus built up a gap of 38 seconds over Samoei and 1:05 over Pertile (1:32:42). In the downhill section of the course at 38 km Barus increased his gap to 1:16 over Pertile who in turn caught up with Samoei dropping him by 37 seconds. Weather conditions became worse preventing Barus from dipping under 2:09. The Kenyan ran at a 3:03-3:04 pace in the final kilometres despite the conditions and crossed the finish-line in Piazza Castello in the heart of the city in 2:09:07. In better conditions he could have probably improved his PB of 2:08:34 set in Milan in 2006.

“The race was fine. I made a good job. I expected to run 2:08 but I cannot complain because it is my job to run in these weather conditions”, said Barus.
Barus is married to Valentine and has two daughters Daisy and Valentine. He hails from the same Tugen tribe as Paul Tergat and is coached by Italian Claudio Berardelli.

Benson Barus - a cool name for a rocket-fast marathoner. Congratulations!
Rest assured that you will hear more from Benson here.