FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenyans Erupt In Prague Marathon
Vienna's loss was Prague's gain. Volcanic ash prevented Eliud Kiptanui of
Kenya going to the Vienna Marathon three weeks ago, but an explosive
performance, winning the Volkswagen Prague Marathon in 2.05.39 this morning
(Sunday) has rocketed him into the top 20 marathoners in history.
Not bad for a young man not yet 21, whose only previous marathon, in torrid
conditions in Kenya four months ago was won in 2.12.17. Such was his torrid
pace in Prague that Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia, second in 2.07.11, and
Nicholas Kipruto Koech of Kenya, third in 2.07.23 were also under the
previous record of 2.07.48, set last year by another Kenyan Patrick Ivuti,
who suffered from injuries this year, and could only finish 19th in
2.21.20.
Yet another Kenyan, Helena Kirop made good on her promise to run 2.25, and
break the women's course record. She dominated the race, breaking away at
halfway, and winning in 2.25.29, over a minute faster than Italian Maura
Viceconte's record of 2.26.33, set back in 2001, now seen as the dark ages
of marathoning.
His anonymity, coupled with his aggressive front-running may have led his
rivals to think Kiptanui was a pacemaker. But that was dispelled in the
latter stages of the race. There is a saying among marathoners that the
race really begins at 35k, and when Kiptanui ran away from the last of his
rivals at that very stage of the 42.2k race, no one was in any doubt that
he would win.
By that time, race favourite Tsegay, fourth in the IAAF World Championships
last summer had dropped off the pace into fifth place, leaving his
colleague Getu Feleke to lead the vain pusuit of Kiptanui. But while the
youngster was running the second half of the race almost a minute faster
than the first, in 62.23 to 63.16, the minor places underwent a radical
change. Tsegay regrouped, to finish second, while Koech got the better of
Feleke for third.
When Kiptanui won the Safaricom Marathon in Kisumu, Kenya in December, it
was in humid conditions with the temperature well over 30C. But, he won
there by over seven minutes.
"I was expecting a better time than 2.12," said Kiptanui immediately after
the race here with, one feels, a degree of understatement. "I thought I
could do 2.08, 2.09, but 2.05 is incredible, I'm very happy."
His time is sixth fastest in the world this year, but more importantly the
17th all-time, on a list led by Haile Gebrselassie, with 2.03.59, on the
rapid Berlin course. Kiptanui's manager, Volker Wagner was on hand,
reminding everyone that the Prague course, with several kilometres of
cobblestones is far from being the fastest in the world.
"With a time like this, he can now get into races like New York, Chicago
and Berlin," said Wagner. Asked about a faster time in, say Berlin,
Kiptanui responded, "If the field is good, I can go faster."
The $75,000 in prizes and bonuses here should also be a reminder of
further possibilities. But in common with many of his compatriots,
including Kirop who runs a foundation so that deprived girls can get
schooling, Kiptanui's first thought, when asked what he would do with the
money, was for his family. "My brothers (two) and sisters (three) are still
in school, I have to assist them."
Despite fighting back to gain second place, Tsegay did not disguise his
disappointment. "Some people might think 2.07.11 is a good time," the 25
year old Ethiopian said at the press conference. "But I'm not happy with
this time. What I think is a good time is 2.05."
In contrast, debutant, Koech was overjoyed with his 2.07.23. "I ran well in
the half-marathon here, it's my favourite course, I'm very happy because it
was my first marathon."
Kirop was equally pleased with her first victory in a dozen marathons. "I
ran with friends until 20k, then pushed it until 35k. I'm very happy,
because it's the first time I've won a marathon in my career."
Ashi Kasim of Ethiopia tracked Kirop through halfway, but blew up, and let
Alevtina Ivanova of Russia through for second in 2.27.36. Kasim held on for
third in 2.29.54.
RESULTS
place/bib no. name country time
MEN
1 36 Eliud KIPTANUI KEN 2.05.39
2 2 Yemane TSEGAY ETH 2.07.11
3 11 Nicholas KOECH KEN 2.07.23
4 9 Getu FELEKE ETH 2.08.04
5 13 Wilson KIPROP KEN 2.09.09
6 12 Denis NDISO KEN 2.10.51
7 4 Kenneth MUNGARA KEN 2.10.53
8 6 Dereje DEBELE ETH 2.11.13
9 5 Solomon BUSENDITCH/KEN/2.11.51
10 37 Josephat KEIYO KEN 2.12.21
WOMEN
1 F1 Helena KIROP KEN 2.25.29
2 F5 Alevtina IVANOVA RUS 2.27.36
3 F4 Ashu KASIM ETH 2.29.54
4 F122 Yulya RUBAN ROM 2.31.13
5 F11 Florence CHEPSOI KEN 2.32.18
6 F7 Larisa ZYUSZKO RUS 2.32.55
7 F2 Lyubov MORGUNOVA/RUS/2.33.17
8 F6 Eyerusalem KUMA ETH 2.39.15
9 F117 Valentina POLTAVSKA/UKR 2.39.26
10 F112 TetIana MESENTSEVA/UKR 2.40.05
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