Kenya sweeps Frankfurt, Venice marathonsGilbert Kirwa of Kenya broke both the defending champion and the course record to win the Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday, in 2:06:14. This time put him in the top-20 and nets him 95,000 euros (Sh1,0640,000) in prize and bonuses.
Komen, Kosgei take first marathon victories in Venice
And John Komen won the 24th edition of the Venice Marathon on Sunday, breaking the course record with 2:08:13, thanks to an outstanding second half. Anne Kosgei won the women’s race in her new PB of 2:27:46.
The Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race. Kirwa, 23, was running only his second marathon, having won his first in Vienna six months ago, in 2:08:21. Vienna was a race for debutants, but on Sunday Kirwa was also more than equal to the tried and tested.
When Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot took the lead shortly after 25 kilometres, it looked as if he was on his way to a successful defence of the 2008 title. But Kirwa pegged him back within five kilometres, and they ran together until Kirwa gradually moved away to win by over 50 metres, with Cheruiyot clocking 2:06:23 for second, still 58sec better than his course record of 2008.
“When he went away, I thought he would win,” said Kirwa of Cheruiyot immediately after the finish. “But when I started to catch him, I thought I could win. I had a little problem with stiffness in my back, but it’s OK. Two marathons, two victories, I’m very happy”.
Cheruiyot blamed an ongoing hamstring problem, for causing him to slow down, and let Kirwa take the advantage. He said, “It’s the same problem I had in Boston,” where he finished fifth in April.
Although he was on paper the fastest man in the field, with his 2:06:50 from ten years ago, William Kiplagat, 37, claimed beforehand that he is more of coach nowadays, principally to Cheruiyot. Yet he showed many of his young compatriots how to do it, by finishing third, in 2:07:05, also inside the previous record.
Austria’s Guenther Weidlinger, 10th in 2:10:47 broke the 23-year-old national record of Gerhard Hartmann by one minute and 52 seconds. Agnes Kiprop of Kenya won the women’s race in 2:26:57, ahead of her colleague, Hellen Kimutai, 2:27:50, with Karolina Jarzynska of Poland third, in 2.29.10
After overnight rain and a misty early morning, the temperature for the 10am start was perfect, with the sun breaking through. A group of 20 went through halfway in 63:35, half a minute slower than anticipated, but it gave the leaders the opportunity to run a ‘negative split,’ that is, a faster second half, infinitely preferable to hanging on for grim death at the end.
But no marathon is easy, and Kirwa’s ample reward was the equal 17th fastest in history, and the advantage of a favourable exchange rate, earning him well over $100,000 (Sh7,500,000).
Kenyan runners rock the Frankfurt Marathon
Runners from Kenya dominated this morning's Frankfurt Marathon, as Kenyans took the top three positions in the men's race and the top two spots in the women's race. Gilbert Kirwa claimed the men's title in the race, barely beating out defending champion Robert Cheruiyot. Kirwa crossed the finish line in 2:06:14, according to the official race results, followed by Robert Cheruiyot in 2:06:23. Fellow Kenyan William Kiplagat finished third in the Frankfurt Marathon with a time of 2:07:05.
Robert Cheruiyot started the race strong, but was unable to hold off Kirwa, who caught up to Cheruiyot and passed him for the win. In doing so, Gilbert Kirwa set a new course record for the Frankfurt Marathon.
Kenya also dominated in the women's race, as Kenyan Agnes Kiprop dominated the field to claim the women's title in the Frankfurt Marathon with a time of 2:26:57. Her nearest competitor, Hellen Jemaiyo Kimutai, finished 53 seconds later in 2:27:50. Polish runner Karolina Jarzynska crossed the line in third with a time of 2:29:10. Jarzynska was the only non-Kenyan to claim a top three position in the men's or women's races.
According to race organizers, Agnes Kiprop suffered hamstring problems in the late stages of the Frankfurt Marathon, but she was able to hold on for the win.
OFFICAL RESULTS FRANKFURT MARATHON 2009
Listen to Austrias Günther Weidlinger after his stunning 2:10 run (sorry austro-german ONLY...)
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