FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KIRWA SHATTERS FRANKFURT MARATHON RECORD
Gilbert Kirwa of Kenya broke both the defending champion and the course
record to win the Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon today, in 2.06.14, a time
that puts him in the top 20 all-time at the distance. It also netts him
95,000 euros in prize and bonuses.
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
today Kirwa was also more than equal to the tried and tested, and
celebrated.
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 last year's
title. But Kirwa pegged him back within five kilometres, and they ran
together until 38k when 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.
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 at 12C (54F), 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 oportunity to run a ‘negative split,' ie 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.
RESULTS
Place/bib number/name/country/time/prize in euros
MEN
1 7 Gilbert KIRWA KEN 2.06.14 €15000*
2 1 Robert K CHERUIYOT KEN 2.06.23 €10000**
3 10 William KIPLAGAT KEN 2.07.05 €7500***
4 15 Elias KEMBOI KEN 2.08.15 €5000
5 17 Alemayehu TAFERE ETH 2.08.46 €3500
6 14 Sammy KURGAT KEN 2.09.34 €2500
7 6 Benjamin KIPTOO KEN 2.10.07 €2000
8 9 Laban KIPKEMBOI KEN 2.10.40 €1500
9 52 Siraj Amda GENA ETH 2.10.41 €1000
10 31 Guenther WEIDLINGER AUT 2.10.47 €500
* plus €75,000 for sub-2.07, and €5000 for course record
** plus €20,000 for sub-2.08 in 2nd place
*** plus €10000 for sub-2.09 in 3rd place
WOMEN
1 F5 Agnes KIPROP KEN 2.26.57 €15000
2 F8 Hellen KIMUTAI KEN 2.27.50 €10000
3 F21 Karolina JARZYNSKA POL 2.29.10 €7500
4 F10 Firehiwot DADO ETH 2.29.20 €4000
5 F20 Rasa DRAZDAUSKAITE LTU 2.30.29 €2500
6 F18 Georgina RONO KEN 2.31.49 €1500
7 F3 Atsede BAYISA ETH 2.32.05 €1000
8 F6 Rose CHERUIYOT KEN 2.32.05 €500
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