Africa-Press – Kenya. 2019 world marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich has proven to be unbeatable yet again after obliterating a strong field to retain her Chicago Marathon title.
Chepng’etich, who distanced herself from the pack of athletes at the 2km mark, won the highly-contested race in a new personal best time of 2:14:18, missing out on the world record by 14 seconds.
The record was set by fellow countrywoman Brigid Kosgei at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. USA’s Emily Sisson placed second in 2:18:20 as Vivian Kiplagat settled for third in 2:20:52.
In the men’s race, Ethiopian Seifu Tura relinquished his title to Benson Kipruto, who won the race by setting a new personal best time of 2:04:24. Tura placed second in 2:04:49 as John Korir settled for third in 2:05:01. Another Kenyan in the race was Bernard Koech, who placed fifth in 2:10:15.
Kipruto stayed with the leading pack and with 5km to go, Tura and Korir were his only threats. At the 40km mark, he distanced himself from the two.
His brother, Dickson Chumba, placed third at the 2014 edition of the marathon and Kipruto expressed his excitement about maintaining what he termed as the family legacy.
“I am happy to have won and set a new PB. I am also happy to keep the title in the family. The course here is flat and this is a good city,” Kipruto said, adding that the spectators also motivated him not to give up during the race.
Meanwhile, at the Munich Marathon, Kenyans did not disappoint as Philemon Kipchumba and Agnes Keino won the men’s and women’s races in respective times of 2:07:28 and 2:23:26.
In the men’s field, Ethiopia’s Mengistu Gezahagn and Eritrean Berhane Tesfay placed second (2:07:56) and third (2:08:10) respectively. Other Kenyans in the field were Edwin Kimaiyo, who placed fifth in 2:11:02, Rodgers Keror — sixth in 2:12:34, Meshack Koech — seventh in 2:14:53 and Vincent Kiprotich — ninth in 2:16:32.
In the women’s field, Ethiopia’s Marr Hurssa and Moroccan Souad Kanbouchia placed second and third in respective times of 2:24:12 and 2:27:35. Other Kenyans in the field were Viola Yator and Helen Jepkurgat who settled for fourth (2:28:11) and seventh (2:32:07) places respectively.
At the Lisbon Marathon, Bornes Jepkirui obliterated a strong field to win the women’s race in 2:24:17. Ethiopian duo of Sorome Negash and Buzunesh Getachew placed second (2:25:57) and third (2:26:01) respectively. The other Kenyan in the race was Jane Jelagat, who placed seventh in 2:30:34.
In the men’s race, Ethiopians took the first three positions through Andualem Belay (first-2:05:45), Haftu Teklu (second-2:06:33) and Birhan Nebebew (third-2:07:04). Julius Kipkorir placed fourth in 2:08:23. Other Kenyans in the race were Paul Eyanae and Nicholas Kirwa who settled for eighth (2:13:46) and ninth (2:14:31) places respectively.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
