FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nicholas Kemboi and Caroline Rotich Triumph in Prague
Nicholas Kemboi and Caroline Rotich celebrated their biggest career wins on
the streets of the Czech capital on Sunday, taking the 19th edition of the
Volkswagen Prague Marathon. Kemboi, who originally comes from Kenya but
competes for Qatar since 2005, ran 2:08:51 while Kenya's Rotich clocked
2:27:00. Warm conditions with temperatures of more than 20 Celsius in the
sun ruined any hopes for world-class times or even course records. 9,500
runners entered the Volkswagen Prague Marathon, which is an IAAF Gold Label
Road Race.
Though he has a personal best of 2:08:01 Nicholas Kemboi was not among
those thought to be the big favourites before the start. Wearing bib number
27 says it all and he could have almost been mistaken for a pacemaker when
he was in the lead for most of the time from 16 kilometres onwards. Kemboi,
pacemaker Silas Ngetich, Julius Lomerinyang (both Kenya) and Girmay Birhanu
(Ethiopia) increased the pace around 16 k and broke up the big leading
group. While the pacemaker soon dropped back the trio passed the half way
mark in 63:21.
The pace was uneven throughout the race. And soon after the 30 k (1:30:36)
mark Kemboi lost contact to Lomerinyang and Birhanu. But he quickly managed
to catch up and then turned on the heat himself. At 34 k the Ethiopian was
dropped, two kilometres later Lomerinyang was beaten as well. "There was a
section with cobblestones around 30 k. Then my muscles in my left leg felt
somehow tired, but after about two kilometres I felt fine again and was
able to catch the other two," explained 29 year-old Nicholas Kemboi, who
ran his third marathon after a second place in Valencia in 2011 (2:08:01)
and a fifth in Istanbul 2012 (2:20:40).
"Running alone in front I looked back at 38 k and knew that I would win,"
said Nicholas Kemboi, who was well ahead of Birhanu (2:09:30). For the
Ethiopian it was a remarkable second marathon within two months and his
second runner-up position. He ran a personal best of 2:08:11 in Rome on
March 17.
There is also an unusual story about third placed Patrick Terer, who
clocked 2:10:10 – one place ahead of Albert Matebor (Kenya/2:10:56). The
Kenyan had to endure a "visa marathon" before he was finally able to run
the Volkswagen Prague Marathon. He was originally one of the favourites for
the Hanover Marathon last Sunday. But a Schengen visa was made invalid in
Nairobi when he was about to fly to Hanover via Amsterdam. Prague's elite
race coordinator Jana Moberly managed to get him a new visa for the Czech
Republic just in time. However shortly before Terer was travelling it was
discovered that the start date of the visa was wrong. Another urgent
contact with the Czech embassy in Nairobi finally made sure that Terer
could fly to Prague. "Thank you for getting me here," said Terer, who
promised: "Next time I will come back and win it."
Kemboi hopes that his next race will be the World Championships' marathon
in Moscow this August. "I hope this win will gain me selection since I am
the only runner from Qatar who has achieved the qualifying time."
Qualification for major championships had been the reason why he chose to
run for Qatar instead of Kenya. "It was very dificult to get on the Kenyan
team," said Kemboi, who had clocked 26:30.03 minutes in the 10,000 m in
Brussels back in 2003 as a 19 year-old. With this time he still is the
fourth fastest 10,000 m runner ever. "But I now concentrate on road
running."
It was hoped that the women would run at a pace that could lead to Lydia
Cheromei's course record of 2:22:34. But in the warm weather that never
materialised. Caroline Rotich, Cheromei and Philes Ongori passed the half
way mark in 1:13:03. Very soon after that point Rotich broke away and
established a substantial lead. In contrast Cheromei, who had a hip problem
in the build-up to Prague but on Friday said she felt fine, dropped back.
The course record holder finished sixth with a disappointing 2:34:26.
While Ehitu Kiros first overtook Philes Ongori at around 25 k it was then
Ongori who came back and finally took second place with 2:28:53. Kiros
followed in third with 2:30:02. "It did not go as good as I had hoped,
because I could not respond when Caroline went off. But after 29 k I felt
better again and was able to catch Ehitu," said Philes Ongori.
For Rotich, who will celebrate her 29th birthday tomorrrow, Prague is
another major step in her marathon career. "This win gives me a good
platform for my future marathon career. Every marathon is different. In
Prague I really enjoyed the atmosphere and I would like to come back next
year" said Caroline Rotich, who had won the New York Half Marathon in
March with 69:09 minutes.
Results (including bib numbers):
Men:
1 Nicholas Kemboi (QAT/#27) 2:08:51
2 Girmay Birhanu (ETH/6) 2:09:30
3 Patrick Terer (KEN/28) 2:10:10
4 Albert Matebor (KEN/4) 2:10:56
5 Sium Kiflom (ERI/10) 2:11:39
6 Amanuel Mesel (ERI/3) 2:11:51
7 Julius Lomerinyang (KEN/9) 2:13:31
8 Benjamin Kiptoo (KEN/4) 2:14:13
9 Julius Karinga (KEN/5) 2:14:21
10 Teshome Gelana (ETH/8) 2:18:06
Women:
1 Caroline Rotich (KEN/F3) 2:27:00
2 Philes Ongori (KEN/F5) 2:28:53
3 Ehitu Kiros (ETH/F4) 2:30:02
4 Tatyana Aryasova (RUS/F8) 2:32:24
5 Mercy Kibarus (KEN/F15) 2:33:23
6 Lydia Cheromei (KEN/F1) 2:34:26
7 Yulia Ruban (UKR/F9) 2:34:50
8 Petra Pastorova (CZE/F12) 2:36:44
9 Ednah Kimaiyo (KEN/F10) 2:40:16
10 Azusa Nojiri (JPN/F6) 2:40:59
More information about the Volkswagen Prague Marathon is available online
at: www.runczech.com
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