FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilson Kipsang Smashes The Men's World Record At The BMW Berlin Marathon
The Chase Continues for the One Million Dollars for the 2012-2013
World Marathon Majors Series
The 40th edition of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON took place on September 29,
2013 Weather: near perfect conditions 7C at start to 11C at the finish,
(44F to 52F during race time) sunny, and light winds 7mph from the East.
BMW Berlin Marathon - Men's Race
Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) smashed the Men's World Record as he won the Men's
race at the BMW Berlin Marathon today, running 2:03:23, surpassing the old
record set by Patrick Makau, (Kenya) also in Berlin in 2011 of 2:03:38.
The halfway was reached in 61:32 with two pacers doing a good job leading
eight principals. By the time the last pacer left the race at 32km,
Wilson Kipsang was pushing the pace ahead of his fellow countrymen Eliud
Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kipsang, who were the last three survivors of the
torrid pace. Kipchoge tried to stay close, but Kipsang was majestic as he
pulled away to break the World Record by 15 seconds. For the
statisticians the 10km splits were 29:17; 29;02; 29:42 and 29:11. Even
more impressive was the fact that Wilson Kipsang ran both the 41st and 42nd
km in 2:49. With the win, Wilson Kipsang now moves to 2nd place with 61
points on the current WMM Series table, but cannot become Champion without
racing in Chicago or New York to try to gain more points, which is highly
unlikely
BMW Berlin Marathon - Women's Race
Florence Kiplagat (Kenya) dominated the Women's Race in the 2013 BMW Berlin
Marathon. Leading from the start, she passed the halfway point in 69:45
with countrywoman Sharon Cherop in her shadow, but by 40km Kiplagat was
clear of Cherop by 41 seconds. Florence Kiplagat cruised through the
Brandenburg Gate and on to victory in 2:21:13 ahead of Sharon Cherop in
2:22:28. In third place Germany's Irina Mikitenko set a new Masters‘ World
Record of 2:24:54. Although Cherop now moves to equal second place in the
current WMM Series standings with 50 points, tied with Priscah Jeptoo, it
does not materially impact the 2012-2013 World Marathon Majors Series for
Women, as Cherop is unlikely to double back to raceagain in either Chicago
or New York.
THE WMM TITLE CHASES
The races to be the World Marathon Majors Champion for both Men and Women
for 2012-2013 Series are now at an intriguing point, as each Champion will
earn $500,000. It would be unusual for any athlete to come back from
racing in Berlin to race in either the Bank of America Chicago Marathon or
the ING New York City Marathon in the next five weeks. As this possibility
would be a most unlikely scenario, the picture becomes clearer about the
possibilities of who could win the 2012- 2013 World Marathon Majors Series
for both Men and Women. The male elite athletes declared to race in the
Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 13th, are not likely to gain
enough points to challenge for the WMM Series Championship this year. But
on the Women's side Rita Jeptoo (Kenya) can affect the 2012-2013 Women's
World Marathon Majors Championship, prior to the final showdown in the ING
New York City Marathon on November 3rd. A win by Rita Jeptoo (Kenya) in
Chicago can move her to be the new Series leader on 65 points. Such a
case would force, Kiplagat or Priscah Jeptoo to finish first or second in
New York to overtake Rita Jeptoo for the WMM title.
The Men's chase to be the 2012-2013 World Marathon Majors' Series Champion
seems to be coming down to 2012 Olympic Champion and 2013 IAAF World
Champion Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda), and the current WMM Series points
leader on 65 points, Tsegaye Kebede (Ethiopia). Both athletes will race in
the ING New York City Marathon on November 3rd. With the four best races
to count in points scoring for any athlete, the various scenarios are
intriguing.
Kiprotich currently has 50 points, and if he wins in New York, he is the
clear Champion, because even a second place finish by Kebede in New York
can only move the Ethiopian to 75 points, which would tie with Kiprotich on
75 points, but Kiprotich wins the title and the $500,000 in head-to-head
competition. However Kebede can win the title if he wins in New York, and
moves to 85 points. Or if Kebede finishes ahead of Kiprotich in New York,
then Kebede is Champion. Or, if Kiprotich finshes second in New York, and
Kebede finishes fourth place or lower, then Kiprotich wins the Championship
with 65 points (tied points with Kebede but Kiprotich again wins the
title based on head-to head competition.)
A finish by Kiprotich of third place or lower in New York, means that
Kebede is the Champion, no matter where he finishes.
Depending what happens with Rita Jeptoo in Chicago, the WMM Women's race is
most likely down to two main contenders: the 2013 Virgin London Marathon
Champion Priscah Jeptoo will face Edna Kiplagat (Kenya) for a showdown for
the WMM Series title at the ING New York City Marathon on November 3rd.
Edna Kiplagat leads with 55 points over Priscah Jeptoo with 50 points.
Both women would need a first or second place New York finish to overtake
Rita Jeptoo.
So the intrigue continues in the battles to be the 2012-13 World marathon
majors' Champions. Next races are the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on
October 3rd, and the ING New York City Marathon on November 3rd.
2012–2013 WMM Series Current Leaderboards
http://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/US/series/leaderboard/men/2012-2013
http://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/US/series/leaderboard/women/2012-2013
Men Points
1 Tsegaye Kebede ETH 65
2 Wilson Kipsang KEN 61
3 Stephen Kiprotich UGA 50
4 Lelisa Desisa ETH 40
5 Wesley Korir KEN 27
Women Points
1 Edna Kiplagat KEN 55
2 Priscah Jeptoo KEN 50
3 Sharon Cherop KEN 50
4 Rita Jeptoo KEN 40
5 Atsede Baysa ETH 30
6 Mary Keitany KEN 30
Points available at each race are:
PLACE POINTS
First place 25 points
Second place 15 points
Third place 10 points
Fourth place 5 points
Fifth place 1 point
WMM Scoring System
The best four races's scoring points by each athlete count towards their
total points in the WMM Series.
In the event of a tie, the winner shall be determined using the following
tie-breaker:
1. The athlete with the best head-to-head record during the period
(including all Qualifying Races in the period, not just scoring races) with
be declared the winner. Only the fact that one athlete finished ahead of
the other will be taken into account and not by how many places.
If there is still a tie, the following tie-breakers will be used in
descending order until the tie is broken:
1. The athlete who has achieved his or her points in the fewest races.
2. The athlete who won the most Qualifying Races during the period.
3. The athlete with the fastest average time in his or her scoring races.
4. The athlete who the majority of the Race Directors of the six World
Marathon Majors races determines to be the champion. In such circumstances,
the Race Directors may decide to award the title jointly.
If an athlete starts a race but for any reason does not complete it, he or
she shall for the purposes of tie-breakers 1 and 2 above will be treated as
having taken part in the event.
About World Marathon Majors
Established in 2006, World Marathon Majors (WMM) is a race series comprised
of the Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW Berlin, Bank of America
Chicago, and ING New York City Marathons. In the years in which they are
run, WMM also includes the IAAF World Championships and Olympic marathons.
At the conclusion of a two-year cycle, WMM offers a $1 million prize purse
to be split equally between the top male and female marathoners in the
world. The inaugural 2006-2007 Series was launched at the 110th Boston
Marathon on April 17, 2006, and concluded at the ING New York City Marathon
on November 4, 2007. The 2012-2013 Series began with the Boston Marathon on
April 16, 2012, and will conclude at the ING New York City Marathon on
November 3, 2013.
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