Abraham Potongole has won the Brussels Marathon. The Kenyan runner made his debut and finished in 2:15:20. He beat Rik Ceulemans in his last marathon ever.Brussels welcomed more than 2000 runners for the marathon, a record. In total no less than 8500 amateurs participated in one of the four races; besides the marathon there was as well a half marathon, a mini marathon (4 km) and the Knack Weekend Ladies Run.
The marathon runners started fast and the group including the main contenders passed the 5 km mark in 15:50. After 10 km six athletes were leading: the Kenyan pacemakers Joel Lokwiamuk and Eliud Lagat, their compatriots William Suparimuk and Abraham Potongole, the Maroccan Abdelhadi El Hachimi and the Belgian Lander Van Droogenbroeck. Title holder Rik Ceulemans followed at 50 meter, Gino Van Geyte at 100 meter.
Lander Van Droogenbroeck had to let go and was able to support chasing Rik Ceulemans in his last marathon. After 17 km the leaders came through in 53:23, about twenty seconds later came the two Belgians.
Halway through the race there were only four Kenyans at the front as El Hachimi was droped. The four passed the 21 km mark in 1:07:11. The Moroccan's place was taken by Rik Ceulemans, who was able to get back at the front. Gino Van Geyte, 2008's number 3, already was two minutes behind there.
POTONGOLE OPENS A GAP
After 27 km (1:26:08) the Kenyan pacemaker Lagat let go as well, leaving only four leaders. After that his compatriot Potongole startd pulling heavily. At kilometer mark 30 he was 32 seconds ahead of Suparimuk and 47 of Ceulemans and Lokwiamuk.
With 6 km left Rik Ceulemans had come back in second, at 56 seconds from leader Potongole, who made his debut at the marathon for that matter. Kenyans Suparimuk (at 1:06) and Lokwiamuk (at 1:13) were third and fourth.
It soon became clear the Kenyan race leader was clear, but the battle for the remaining podium was still open, with Ceulemans at 1:14 at 38 km, Suparimuk at 1:38 and Lokwiamuk at 1:56.
Abraham Potongole finished as first in 2:15:20 and this on the Brussels main square, the Grote Markt. Rik Ceulemans secured his second place in his last ever marathon and finished in 2:17:36. William Suparimuk (2:18:36) completed the podium. Kenyan pacemaker Lokwiamuk finished fourth, Gino Van Geyte fifth.
SOENEN SNELSTE VROUW
The Belgian Virginie Soenen was the fastest woman in 3:07:12. Kelly Willis (3:13:20) and Gabriele Rizzi (3:17:28) completed the podium there.
Guy Fays won the half marathon in 1:12:18. Francisco Veloso (1:12:25) and Gaeton Guelton (1:13:58) were second and third. Catherine Lallemand was the first woman in 1:20:52.
The Brussels Mini Marathon (4 km) was won by Thomas Laurent (12:27) and Yentl Verbesselt (18:10). At the Knack Weekend Ladies Run (4 km) Hannah Van Hove took the title in a time of 15:56.
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