The following world records have recently been ratified...<h3>World records</h3>Men30km 1:27:37 Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) Berlin, GER 28 Sep 14 previous: 1:27:38 Patrick Makau Musyoki (KEN) Berlin, GER 25 Sep 11Marathon 2:02:57 Dennis Kipruto Kimetto (KEN) Berlin, GER 28 Sep 14 previous: 2:03:23 Wilson Kipsang (KEN) Berlin, GER 29 Sep 13IAAF

The following world records have recently been ratified...

World records ratified

Kenyans Lawrence Kimaiyo and Hellen Mugo set new course records at the 89th running of the International Peace Marathon in Kosice, Slovakia, on Sunday. Kimaiyo clocked 2:07:01 to break the previous mark of 2:08:33 set by Gilbert Chepkwony in 2010 while Mugo&#39;s 2:29:59 eclipsed the old record by 51 seconds. Conditions were nearly ideal - 15 C., cloudy, no wind, only slight rain - for Europe&#39;s oldest marathon which also saw a participation record with 7400 runners from 46 countries contesting all the day&#39;s events. Some 30,000 people in the streets of this easter Slovakian city were satisfied as well. The first four men all went under Chepkwony&#39;s previous course record. Kimaiyo forged to the lead after the 36th kilometre en route to a big personal best after running nearly identical halves of 1:03:54 and 1:03:57. &quot;Im very satisfied with my personal best and course record,&quot; said Kimaiyo, whose previous best of 2:11:46 was set in Turin in 2010, his only previous Marathon. &quot;My feelings were great from the beginning, we also had here in Kosice top weather for marathon running. I believed I could be the winner. I was preparing for this race since January.&quot; Pacemakers Peter Wanjiru and Richard Sigei helped until 30 kilometres. Then Evans Ruto, who was considered a favourite before the race, ran for some time with Kimaiyo but then began to drift and then in a dramatic finish, lost the battle for second to Philemon Baaru by just 0.02 seconds as both were credited with 2:07:49. Both were personal bests significant personal bests; Baaru had run 2:09:51 last year in Porto and Ruto clocked 2:08:36 in Cologne in 2009. Kimaiyo&#39;s winnings for the day were 15,000 Euros; if he had run sub-2:07, the total would have been 20,000. Elijah Kemboi was fourth but produced a substantial improvement in his personal best as well, dropping from 2:11:15 to 2:07:51. There was also a personal best for fifth-place finisher Bellor Yator (2:08:39), with Vincent Kiplagat clocking 2:09:30, just eight seconds shy of his PB, taking sixth. It was a new record for Kosice with six sub-2:10 runners in one competition with a tenth Kenyan male victory. In the women&#39;s race, 2:27 runner Mugo fulfilled her favorite role, but started very fast with a 1:12:12 first half, clearly on track for the first sub-2:30 by a woman in Slovakia. She faded dramatically at the end (19:08 split between kilometres 35 and 40, second half in 1:17:47) but still managed exactly what was needed to clock 2:29:59. Her first place and record prize money was 10 000 E. &quot;I felt excellent that is why I started fast,&quot; said Mugo, who won 10,000 Euros for her efforts) &quot;Despite being tired at the end I was confident about the win and new record. It was not that tough for me.&quot; Running a more even pace (1:14:58 and 1:16:31), last year&#39;s winner Maryna Damantsevich of Belarus was second with a new life-time best of 2:31:29. Ethiopian Ehitu Kiros Reda also notched a PB 2:33:43 for third. The Slovak national titles went to Jozef Urban (overall 11th, 2:25:34) and Ingrid Petnuchova (overall 5th, 2:55:58). Slovak best walker and London 50 km eight placer Matej Toth competed in the Half Marathon but only jogged, clocking 1:42:36. Alfons Juck for the IAAF Leading Results - MEN: 1. Lawrence Kimaiyo, KEN, 2:07:01 CR, PB, 15,000 E 2. Philemon Baaru, KEN, 2:07:49, PB, 5500 E 3. Evans Ruto, KEN, 2:07:49 PB, 3500 E 4. Elijah Kemboi, KEN, 2:07:51 PB, 2500 E 5. Bellor Yator, KEN, 2:08:39 PB, 1000 E 6. Vincent Kiplagat, KEN, 2:09:30, 600 E 7. David Toniok, KEN, 2:10:39 PB, 500 E 8. Gezu Belete, ETH, 2:13:16, 400 E 9. Mehari Baraki, ETH, 2:16:40, 300 E 10. Peter Kurui, KEN, 2:18:38, 200 E WOMEN: 1. Hellen Mugo, KEN, 2:29:59 CR, 10,000 E 2. Maryna Damantsevich, BLR, 2:31:29 PB, 2500 E 3. Ehitu Reda, ETH, 2:33:43 PB, 1500 E 4. Natalya Malaya, UKR, 2:53:46, 1000 E 5. Ingrid Petnuchova, SVK, 2:55:58, 500 E 6. Patricia Ganovska, SVK, 3:04:11, 300 E

Kenyans Lawrence Kimaiyo and Hellen Mugo set new course records at the 89th running of the International Peace Marathon in Kosice, Slovakia, on Sunday.

Course records tumble in Kosice

Toronto, CanadaLong distance runners are continually looking for improvement and Netsanet Achamo is no exception. Supporters of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon are in for a treat, therefore, when the 24-year-old Ethiopian star returns to Canada’s premier Marathon on 14 October. Achamo ran with the leaders through 30 kilometres during the 2011 edition of this race before fading, due to an injury. She eventually finished fifth. But she has raised her profile considerably this year beginning with a victory at the Mumbai Marathon on 15 January. She set a new course record of 2:26:12 in the process. Just three months later she lowered her personal best time to 2:24:12 while finishing second in Hamburg. Now, with almost six consecutive months of high altitude training in her home of Addis, she will line up against a world class field at Toronto’s IAAF Silver Label Road Race. &quot;I will try and win the race and improve my personal best on the beautiful roads of Toronto,&quot; Achamo declares confidently. The prospects of earning some prize money is also on her mind. &quot;I know money will come at the finishing line. At the moment my first target is to win the race with a course record. Money is second.&quot; The course record of 2:22:43 is held jointly by Sharon Cherop of Kenya and one of Achamo’s training partners, Koren Yal. Scotiabank, the race title sponsor, is putting up $35,000 for a new record. Winners will also receive $20,000 while second place is worth $12,000. That’s a considerable sum in East Africa and certainly a major enticement. Up until 2011 Achamo was primarily a 3000m steeplechaser having represented her nation at the 2006 All African Championships, where she was 4th, and at the 2007 IAAF World Championships. Though she had recorded a very good time of 9:28.03 her coaches suggested the Marathon might be her best event. She also played club volleyball in her teens but gave up the sport when she was dropped from the team. &quot;I train with the Demadonna athlete group,&quot; she says making reference to her manager Gianni Demadonna. &quot;Among them are Tirfi Tsagaye (2:21:40 this year in Paris), Koren Yal (2:22:43 Toronto 2011) and other top class runners and my coaches are Gemedu Dedefo and Gebeyehu Berihun. &quot;It is different from week to week and month to month but the average we run in a week is between 180km and 220km.&quot; Achamo is capable of running from the front as she proved in Mumbai. There she led almost from the beginning of the race before quickly opening up a 30 second gap at 25km. Over the remaining 17 kilometres she extended that margin to four minutes. In Toronto, no doubt she will have plenty of company and if the weather conditions are good we may well see a very fast time. &quot;Last year the race was very fast in the first 30 kilometres with Koren Yal and Mare Dibaba and me and after 10 kilometres my legs felt an injury,&quot; she recalls. &quot;I finished in 5th place in 2:32. I want to win this year.&quot; Paul Gains (organisers) for the IAAF

Long distance runners are continually looking for improvement and Netsanet Achamo is no exception.

Achamo gunning for Toronto victory

Toronto, CanadaWhen Kenyan marathoner Charles Munyeki is asked whether the $25,000 bonus on offer for beating the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon record is motivation for the 14 October event he answers succinctly. &quot;Definitely,&quot; he declares. &quot;My goal is to run well and, more so, to improve my best time.&quot; The 35-year-old from Nyahururu, in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, has the credentials to challenge the record of 2:07:58, set by Kenneth Mungara in the 2011 edition of this IAAF Silver Label Road Race. That time is also the fastest ever run on Canadian soil. A fourth place finish in the 2009 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:07:06 sent Munyeki into the upper echelon of road racing. That was also his Marathon debut. He has had a couple of lean years since but bounced back earlier this year with a 6th place finish at the Seoul Marathon with a time of 2:07:41. Now he is turning his attention to Toronto. Although he hasn’t met Mungara, and lives in a different area of the country, he is aware of the Toronto course. His manager, the New Zealand-born American, Derek Froude of Possosports, also manages Mungara. He has been in Toronto several times and has shared his knowledge with him. Munyeki is from the new school of Kenyan marathoners. Lured by the massive amounts of money - and myriad opportunities across the globe - these runners are going straight into road racing rather than converting from track and field. Indeed, he first attracted attention in 2005 when he recorded a decent time of 1:01:34 for the Half Marathon. The result was more impressive considering it was run in the high altitude of Nairobi. It is widely believed he could have run a minute faster at sea level. Pacemaking duties followed at the Chicago Marathon a year later where he towed eventual winner Robert Cheruiyot through 30 kilometres before he set out racing in Europe. He improved his best time in the Half Marathon to a mighty 59:44 at the 2008 Rotterdam Half Marathon. A year later he surprised many with a world class 27:45 clocking for the 10 kilometres on the roads. &quot;I run every day and about 265 kilometres per week,&quot; Munyeki says of his buildup to the Toronto date. &quot;I train with guys like Charles Kamathi (the 2001 IAAF World 10,000m champion who has also run 2:07:33) and many young athletes. My Coach is Francis Kamau.&quot; Munyeki grew up on a small farm with his brothers and sisters where he attended Nyeri High School. He credits the coach as his inspiration adding he runs marathons &quot;because I like it and I am good at it.&quot; Although he will turn 36 in November he is aware that many marathoners have had success well into their thirties. Carlos Lopes of Portugal won the 1984 Olympic marathon at age 37 while Haile Gebrselassie set the World record when he was 35. And, Kenneth Mungara set the Toronto course record at the age of 37. Munyeki believes that if the conditions are right he can run a fast time in Toronto on October 14th. A course record and the bonus money that will bring can help immensely with another important goal. &quot;I want to invest well with the money I will have earned (from running),&quot; he declares. Paul Gains (organisers) for the IAAF

When Kenyan marathoner Charles Munyeki is asked whether the $25,000 bonus on offer for beating the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon record is motivation for the 14 October event he answers succinctly.

Munyeki targets Toronto record

Ottawa, CanadaLaban Moiben is becoming used to sprint finishes having won both the 2011 Ottawa Marathon and the 2012 Mumbai marathon January 15th by a scant few steps. Today in Ottawa - an IAAF Silver Label Road Race - he held off fellow Kenyan Julius Karinga in a furious dash for the line winning in a personal best time of 2:09:13. The time also beat Arata Fujiwara’s two-year-old course record of 2:09:33. The 28-year-old Kenyan ran a smart tactical race buried in a pack of eight or so athletes through the first half of the race reached in 1:03:28. After the last of the pacemakers abandoned the race around 26 kilometres it was his countrymen Vincent Kiplagat and Daniel Rono who forced the pace opening a wide gap. But Moiben, the defending Ottawa champion, ran alongside Karinga never appearing to be in trouble. When Kiplagat dropped Rono with five kilometres remaining Moiben and Karinga focused on them. In the last mile they passed their compatriots and it became a two-man race. Moiben simply had more in reserve. "When we passed Rono and Kiplagat I knew I was going to have to kick to win the race," said the winner. "I was confident. When I was in the last kilometre I knew I would win the race. I know I have a good finish." "Never have I seen Kiplagat. This was my first time racing him. I don’t know anything about him. I know about Rono, Kigen and the others. I was expecting competition from Vincent Kiplagat, Rono and Moses Kigen." Moiben is no stranger to Canada having raced in Ottawa three times, as well as in Toronto and Montreal. When he arrived in Ottawa Wednesday evening he had flu-like symptoms, he said. But his health didn’t seem to be a factor today. And, he was full of praise for his Canadian hosts. "Yes, I like very much Canada and Canadians," he declared. "I like the people and the community. I like the people because they invited me here and they cheer for me. But now I will celebrate with Kenyans. The Kenyan ambassador has invited us to his home for dinner." The victory earned him US &#36;20,000 plus another US &#36;10,000 for the course record - not to mention an appearance fee befitting a defending champion. The women’s race was a huge disappointment in comparison to the men’s. The heavily favoured Ethiopian Teyba Erkesso (2:23:53 personal best) experienced stomach problems that caused her a sleepless night. She went out hard, aiming for a 2:22 time but twice stopped at the side of the road with stomach cramps. At 14km or so, she was forced to abandon the race spending the next hour in a medical tent. Yeshi Esayias, who ran 2:26:00 for second place at this year’s Tokyo Marathon, and fellow Ethiopian Biruktawit Degefa ran together through 30 kilometres (1:46:50) before Esayias pushed on alone in chase of the course record 2:27:41 held by Asmae Leghazoui of Morocco. In the end she fell short recording 2:28:46 for the victory. "Running alone was difficult for me," the 26-year-old said, using her husband as interpreter. "I wanted to run alone the last part to try to break the course record but the weather made it a little bit difficult. Before the race I thought I could run 2:26 or 2:27." Degefa, who has a best of 2:27:34, finished in 2:33:12 while Ruth Wanjiru of Kenya took third place in 2:33:17. Wanjiru was also well off her personal best of 2:27:38. The Ottawa race weekend included a record high of 42,000+ runners involved in distances such as a kid’s 1 kilometre race, a 5 km, Half Marathon and Marathon. Paul Gains for the IAAF

Laban Moiben is becoming used to sprint finishes having won both the 2011 Ottawa Marathon and the 2012 Mumbai marathon January 15th by a scant few steps.

Moiben defends Ottawa Title

<DIV>Madrid, SpainKenya’s Patrick Korir (2:12:07) and Margaret Agai (2:32.23) captured surprise wins at the 35th ‘Rock’n’Roll Madrid Marathon’ held today in the Spanish capital. The 33-year-old Korir headed a clean sweep of medals for his country as he was joined on the podium by fellow Kenyans Enock Mitei and &nbsp;Thomson Cherogony. This event is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race which was held on a nice day with the thermometre ranging in the 11º-16º range. While Korir took a sprint victory, Agai – who reportedly was making her debut over the distance in Madrid – became an overwhelming winner taking the better of Ethiopia’s Roman Gebregessese by over two minutes. Korir’s conservative tactics pays off – men’s race Feared for the up-hill closing sections, the race opened not particularly fast led by the Spain-based Cuthbert Nyasango of Zimbabwe. By the fifth kilometre point a large group of Africans ruled the event for a 15:22 split, while the tenth kilometre was reached in 30:52, Mexico’s Alejandro Suárez the only non-African in the leading pack. Erick Kibet perfectly executed his pacing duties as he was timed at 1:04:52 by the halfway point still on schedule for a new course record although the second-half ondulating profile finally defeated that purpose. Some 27km into the race the defending champion Moses Arusei lost ground from the leading group which whittled down to four in the guise of Mark Tanui, Thomas Cherogony, Enock Mitei and Patrick Korir. Once the rabbits dropped out, Tanui made most of the pace while Korir ran in fourth throughout to close the leading pack. The 35km point was covered in 1:48:01 and shortly afterwards Mitei broke away with ease to open a slight margin from Cherogony and Korir but Tanui was a solitude fourth. The race was never decided but Mitei seemed a safe bet for the win as his closest pursuer Cherogony had lost nine seconds by the 40km point which was crossed in 2:04:40 while Korir’s disadvantage had risen to 11 seconds. However, the extremely difficult closing section of the race played a key role in the outcome of the contest. Mitei – the 2011 Madrid Half Marathon victor – didn’t slow down his rhythm dramatically at any time but Cherogony and Korir managed to reel in him with 350 metres left. Korir’s late burst of speed was magnificent to romp home unopposed in 2:12.07 some six seconds ahead of Mitei, himself one second faster than Cherogony, who has now a full set of podium places in Madrid (1/2010, 2/2011, 3/2012). A late-time entrant to today’s field, Korir came not particularly far from his career best of 2:11:36 set in Toulouse last year to win the race. He was quoted as saying: “There are so many ups and downs throughout the circuit, especially over the final part of the race which makes the event really tough. I only travelled in third with only one kilometre to go but I was confident of my sprint finish.” Unheralded Agai beats the Ethiopian squad - women's race The women’s side witnessed the early lead of Lithuania’s Diana Lobacevske who led a still large leading group by the 10km point which was reached in a cautious 36:33. Among the powerful East European contingent announced only the leader and Russia’s Marina Kiseleva finally took part in the contest. To compensate for those withdrawals, Kenya’s Margaret Agai and the Ethiopian pair of Roman Gebregessese and Tigist Gebayahu were added to today’s line-up. From the 15th kilometre the African quartet (Ethiopia’s Tigist Worku included) took charge of the race and Lobacevske could not live with their pace beyond the 18th kilometre. The Half Marathon point took the leaders 1:15:30 and Worku was the first to lose ground on Agai’s relentless pace some 30 kilometres into the race. Shortly afterwards Gebeyahu also began to fade and the contest became a two-horse battle between Agai and Gebregessese, the latter on her second Marathon in 2012 following a 2:34:18 run in Mumbai last January. After a 2:06:20 split for the 35km section, Agai pulled away from the Ethiopian and from then on she strengthened her leadership to a final gap of 2:17 to secure a Kenyan double today. In the 10Km local race which opened the day Spain’s Carlos Castillejo snatched a comfortable victory in &nbsp;a pedestrian 30:01 while Vanessa Veiga took honours on the women’s section thanks to another easy run timed at 34:57. Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF Leading Results - Men - 1. Patrick Korir, KEN 2:12:07 2. Enock Mitei, KEN 2:12:13 3. Thompson Cherogony, KEN 2:12:14 4. Mark Tanui, KEN 2:12:23 5. Hailu Dogaga, ETH 2:13:15 6. Paul Kirui, KEN 2:14:09 7. Moses Arusei, KEN 2:16:41 8. Felix Limo, KEN 2:20:06 9. Tilaun Aliyev, AZE 2:20:1510. Isaac Kosgei, KEN &nbsp;2:20:33 Women - 1. Margaret Agai, KEN 2:32:23 2. Roman Gebregessese, ETH 2:34:40 3. Tigist Gebayahu, ETH 2:36:31 4. Dailin Belmonte, CUB 2:41:07 5. Marina Kiseleva, RUS 2:42:36 6. Tigist Worku ETH 2:43:30 7. Irene Lorenzo, ESP 2:55:38 8. Cristina Rozalén, ESP 2:55:51 9. Nancy Langat, KEN &nbsp;3:03:1910. Paqui Fuentes, ESP 3:03:31</DIV>

Madrid, Spain – Kenya’s Patrick Korir (2:12:07) and Margaret Agai (2:32.23) captured surprise wins at the 35th ‘Rock’n’Roll Madrid Marathon’ held today in the Spanish capital. The 33-year-old Korir headed a clean sweep of medals for his country as he was joined on the podium by fellow Kenyans Enock Mitei and  Thomson Cherogony.

Korir and Agai the unexpected victors in Madrid

<DIV>Losing a Marathon by one second last year taught Dejere Abera of Ethiopia a lesson that he put to good use this morning (5), when he won the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon – an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race - by less than a second. Indeed so tight and exciting was the men’s finish that Eliud Cheptei in second place shared Dejere’s winning time of 2:11:27, while two more Kenyans, Cosmas Kyeva and Julius Maisei were just one second each further back. Dejere improved the long standing course record by one minute and 42 seconds, but his colleague, Misiker Demissie took pride of place in that department when her runaway victory in the women’s race, in 2:30:12, took all of three and a half minutes from last year’s course record. Given the tough course here, and the inevitable humidity, around 90% at one stage, albeit with reasonable temperatures of 16-19C (61-66F), the times were never going to be of the order of last week’s Dubai record breaking spree. But, like Dubai this was another Ethiopian double header to relish, and remind the Kenyans that they’re not going to get all their own way in Olympic year. The Hong Kong organisers eschew pacing, but with over a dozen men together at halfway, and eight still in contention past 35 kilometres, combined with some of the most clement conditions in race history, a men’s record was always on the cards. And not before time some would say, Ethiopian Belay Wolashe’s 2:13:09 had lasted since the second edition of the event, in 1998. When the leading quartet broke away with 40K in sight, it was always Dereje who was forcing it from the front, mindful he said later of that one second defeat in Ottawa last year to Laban Moiben of Kenya. Dereje managed to get a 10 metres lead two or three times in the last kilometre, but though he was pulled back each time, and then balked by an errant cyclist on the last turn into the finish in Victoria Park, he never looked like losing at that point. “It wasn’t a problem,” said an ebullient Dereje, though it wasn’t clear whether he was talking of the cyclist or the three close pursuers. “I knew by then I could win. This is my first time in Hong Kong, but I love it.” And so he should, his win netted him $50,000 with a five figure time bonuses. Though Cheptei shadowed him through the finish line, the Kenyan admitted he never felt he could win. “He was too strong, I was trying to go with him, but that was to make sure I stayed ahead of the third guy.” Like several of his compatriots last year, Cheptei paid his own way here, but the $1500 investment paid off handsomely, when he picked up $20,000 and a share of the time bonus. There was more confusion over Misiker’s change of name than her running tactics. It seems that the Ethiopian had an unhappy time running for Bahrain under the name of Teyba Naser and has reverted to a full Ethiopian name of Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, and has been living with husband Zereu Kelele in Albuquerque, New Mexico for some time. There was no debate about her victory though. She led from the start, and though she had colleague Shitaye Gemechu and Kenyan Winfred Nyansikera right behind until past halfway, when she accelerated at 30 kilometres, she ran right away from them. “It’s a very hard course, and it was a little humid, but I thought I could win from 30k,” she said, “I’d like to run Boston now (April), because last year I had to drop out. I’d like to run in the Olympics eventually, but Ethiopia has many strong women. It will have to be the next one in Brazil.” Both her pursuers had other problems, Shitaye finished with a one shoe full of blood from a toe injury, and Nyansikera had to stop for a vomiting fit. But Shitaye just managed to stay ahead to take second, 2:31:44, to Nyansikera’s 2:31:47. Pat Butcher (organisers) for the IAAF Leading Results: MEN -1. Dereje ABERA, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.11.27 (course record)2. Eliud CHEPTEI, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.11.273. Cosmas KYEVA, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.11.284. Julius MAISEI, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.11.285. George NGETICH, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.12.196. Lilan KIPROP, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.12.427. Haile HAJA, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.12.438. Nigussie CHALA, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.13.179. Patrick KOECH, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.13.1910. Nelson ROTICH, KE &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.13.33 WOMEN -1. Misiker DEMISSIE, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.30.12 (course record)2. Shitaye GEMECHU, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.31.443. Winfred NYANSIKERA, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.31.474. KIM Kum-Ok, DPR KOREA &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.32.485. Datu Zehara KEDIR, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.34.146. Viola BOR CHEPKETING, KEN &nbsp;2.37.117. Goitetom HAFTU, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.39.438. Malika BENLAFKIR, MAR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.41.229. Mariia TSKAIA, KRG &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.49.4110. THI Bin Pham, VTN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.56.11</DIV>

Losing a Marathon by one second last year taught Dejere Abera of Ethiopia a lesson that he put to good use this morning (5), when he won the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon by less than a second.

Course records tumble in Hong Kong

<DIV>Despite a magnificent effort over the final five kilometres of the BMW Frankfurt Marathon this morning, when he could see that his promised World record was slipping away, Wilson Kipsang of Kenya fell just four seconds short of his compatriot, Patrick Makau’s World mark of 2:03:38, set in Berlin five weeks ago. There was some scant consolation that his repeat victory in Germany’s finance capital was a 2:03:42 course record in this IAAF Gold Label Road Race, over a minute faster than his 2:04:57 here last year, and that this time will situate him firmly alongside Makau as a front runner for Kenya’s Olympic Marathon trio for London 2012. The race went exactly as Kipsang had planned it, until just after 30 kilometres of the 42.195k. An early morning shower had given way to a still, slightly misty morning, with temperatures rising from 11C at the 10am start to around 14C at the finish (52-58F); just about perfect conditions for a Marathon. &nbsp;A group of 15 men went through 10k in 29:25, diminishing to a sextet at halfway in 1:01:40, four seconds faster than Makau in Berlin. Deriba Merga of Ethiopia, who finished fourth in the Beijing Olympics, was still in the lee of the pacemaker, Peter Kirui of Kenya, who was reproducing his metronomic feats from Berlin last month; but so were relative unknown Kenyans, Levy Matebo and Albert Matebor. But it was clear that the pace was dropping when Kipsang went up onto Kirui’s shoulder at around 33k, and when the defending champion saw at 35k that he was heading for a 2:04 finish, he took off by himself. If the winner had ever been in any doubt, that issue was settled right then. It was Kipsang against the clock. And what a race he made of it. Kipsang sailed away from his pursuers, and clawed back two or three seconds per kilometre on the record chase, with the crowds out on the streets, and watching on the big screens at the indoor finish in Frankfurt’s Festhalle willing him on. Fireworks and floodlights greeted him for the final metres on the red carpet in the Festhalle, but the World record effort was just in vain, by four seconds. Kipsang had promised a World record, but given the way he chased it in the final stages, no one was going to cavil that he failed to deliver. And if Kipsang was disappointed, he didn’t show it. “It’s OK,” he said at the finish, “I’m very happy with the time. The pacemaking was fine, they did a good job. I’ll try to do it (break the record) next year, this has given me even more motivation.” The near namesakes Matebo and Matebor revised their bests by over two minutes and close to four minutes respectively; and pacemaker Kirui hung in to finish sixth in 2:06:33, no mean feat in itself. There were nine Kenyans in the first ten, Siraj Gena of Ethiopia being the interloper in eighth place. Another record was the 14 men under 2:10, the most in any Marathon. Kipsang’s 2:03:42 is clearly the second fastest in history, behind Makau, but 17 seconds ahead of the great Haile Gebselassie, whose 2:03:59 has taken a bit of a battering in recent weeks. Incidentally, all three sub-2:04 times have been set in Germany, Makau and Gebselassie in Berlin, and now Kipsang in Frankfurt, an appropriate 30th anniversary present for Germany’s oldest city Marathon. And the lesson seems to be, if you want to run a fast Marathon, come to Germany; or to put it another way, Deutschland Unter Alles. Daska lower's women's course record It worked in the women’s race too, with Mamitu Daska of Ethiopia taking almost a minute and half off Kenyan Caroline Kilel’s record of 2:23:25 from last year with her 2:21:57 performance. For more than half the race, Daska was preceded by her young colleague, Merima Mohammed. But the 19-year-old fell away in the latter stages, while Agnes Kiprop of Kenya rallied, to finish second in 2:23:54, with another Kenyan, Marathon debutante Flomena Chepchirchir third, in 2:24:21. Mohammed was fourth in 2:24:34. Pat Butcher (organisers) for the IAAF Leading Results: MEN -1. Kipsang, Wilson KEN &nbsp;2:03:422. Matebo, Levy KEN 2:05:163. Matebor, Albert KEN 2:05:254. Sanga, Phillip, KEN 2:06:075. Cheruiyot, Robert Kipron KEN 2:06:296. Kirui, Peter KEN 2:06:317. Kiptolo, Chumba Dickson KEN 2:07:238. Gena, Siraj ETH 2:08:319. Koech, Duncan KEN 2:08:3810. Sugut, Henry KEN 2:08:56 WOMEN -1. Daska, Mamitu ETH 2:21:592. Kiprop, Agnes KEN 2:23:543. Chepchirchir, Flomena KEN 2:24:214. Mohammed, Merima ETH 2:24:325. Busienei, Rita Jeptoo KEN 2:25:446. Ejaffini, Nadia ITA 2:26:157. Tola, Fate ETH 2:27:188. Degefa, Biruktait ETH 2:27:349. Mockenhaupt, Sabrina GER 2:28:0810. Samokhvalova, Alena RUS 2:28:43</DIV>

Despite a magnificent effort over the final five kilometres of the BMW Frankfurt Marathon this morning, when he could see that his promised World record was slipping away, Wilson Kipsang of Kenya fell just four seconds short of his compatriot, Patrick Makau’s World mark of 2:03:38, set in Berlin five weeks ago.

Kipsang tantalises with 2:03:42 World record assault in Frankfurt

<DIV>Reims, FranceEthiopian Demessew Tsega was the surprise winner of the Reims Marathon on Sunday (16) taking the victory in his debut over the distance in 2:09:44 while Kenyan Julia Mombi confirmed her favourite's status in winning the women’s race in 2:29:35. Under clear skies and cool temperatures, this IAAF Bronze Label Road Race started at 10:35 on the parvis of Reim’s Cathedral. A large group of Kenyans and Ethiopians, led by the French pacemakers Simon Munyutu and James Theuri, took the direction to the southeast of the town. After a U turn towards the northwest, a large group of 20 reached 10Km in 30:29, thus it was already unlikely that the race record of 2:07:53, held by David Kiyeng, would not be broken. The relatively easy pace made the group homogenous and compact along the Aisne canal. In the north quarters of Reims, all the Kenyans were still present, but the Ethiopians were running in front. Experienced Abebe Hailu Dogaga, winner of the race in 2009, passed the half-way in 1:05:05, accompanied by his unknown teammates Abdisa Sorri (2:13:27) and debutant Tsega. In ambuscade were Kenyans Richard Limo (the fastest of the field with a 2:06:45 personal best), Abraham Chelanga (fourth time in Reims), Jacob Kitur (2:11:00) and Victor Lagat (his first race in Europe). Sorri and Limo were at the front without being able to intensify the rhythm. Rather, the group became smaller at the back with the first drops occurring at around 30 kilometres, reached in 1:32:20. No less than 11 men were still in contention for the victory. However, the fatigue, the rising temperatures by mid-day and the first difficulties in the road design reduced the group to seven by the 37th kilometre. The three Ethiopians - Tsega, Hailu and Sorri - still looked good as well as Kenyans Limo, Chelanga and Lagat, while Kitur showed some signs of fatigue. In the uphill stretch, Tsega made a decisive move and arrived with an irreducible advance in the Parc des Exposition area. The 23-year-old crossed the line first in his debut in 2:09:44. Tsega, winner of Saint-Denis Half Marathon in 1:03:22 three years ago, had participated in the World Road Running Championships over 20km in 2006 where he finished 20th position. In spite of no notable performance this season, the Ethiopian defeated a strong field as he beat Hailu (2:09:52) by eight seconds. Pre-race favorite Limo was third clocking 2:10:01. The women’s race was also controlled by the Ethiopians, while the Kenyan, Julia Mombi, the only sub-2:30 performer in the race with a personal best of 2:26:00, remained hidden in the pack for most of the race. The four Ethiopians - Meseret Debele (personal best 2:30:42), Aberash Bedasa (2:35:18), Ayelu Lemma (2:35:31) and Ashete Dido (first race in Europe) - passed the 10km point at 35:26, with Mombi one second behind. Although the pace was already too fast for all the French runners, it was not enough to threaten the 2:27:28 race record held by Russian Alla Zhilyayeva since 1995. There were no changes as the five women reached the half in 1:14:55. The Ethiopian quartet tried unsuccessfully to shake the group and drop Mombi who continued to stay with them. Thirty kilometres was reached in 1:46:47, and after that, the final 10km saw the successive collapse of the Ethiopians. Debele was the first to drop back, followed by Dido, then Lemma leaving Bedasa as Mombi's final opponent. The Ethiopians were actually the victims of their own tactic, wearing themselves down while the Kenyan simply waited for them to disappear one after the other. Over the final two kilometres Mombi, 26, secured her first ever victory in eight Marathon starts, crossing the line in 2:29:35. Behind her, all but Debele broke their personal bests. (NOTE: Richard Limo, pictured here, finished third. We are awaiting photos from this year's race from organisers.) Pierre-Jean Vazel for the IAAF Leading Results:MEN -1. Demessew TSEGA, (ETH) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:09:44 2. Hailu Abebe DOGAGA, (ETH) &nbsp;2:09:523. Richard LIMO, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:014. Abraham CHELANGA, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:145. Victor LAGAT, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:18 6. Jacob KITUR, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:22 7. Abdisa SORRI, (ETH) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:25 8. Francis KOSGEI, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:12:34 9. Joseph LOMALA, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:12:55 10. Kenneth KORIR, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:13:09 WOMEN - 1. Julia MOMBI, (KEN) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:29:35 2. Abderash BEDASA, (ETH) &nbsp;2:29:46 3. Ayeleu LEMMA, (ETH) &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:32:25 4. Ashete DIDO, (ETH) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:33:58 5. Meseret DEBELE, (ETH) &nbsp; 2:42:25 6. Gaby ANDRES, (FRA) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:59:45 </DIV>

Reims, France – Ethiopian Demessew Tsega was the surprise winner of the Reims Marathon on Sunday, taking the victory in his debut over the distance in 2:09:44 while Kenyan Julia Mombi confirmed her favourite's status in winning the women’s race in 2:29:35.

In debut, Tsega triumphs in Reims

<DIV>17 October 2011Kenyan Vincent Kiplagat successfully defended his title at the 33rd &nbsp;Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon on Sunday (16) clocking 2:10:58, while Alemitu Abera from Ethiopia claimed the women’s race in 2:27:56. The Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race. Cold, rainy and windy conditions – the temperature was 9 C. from start to finish – ruined any chances for an assault on the course records. Kiplagat, 27, finished 18 seconds slower than his 2:10:39 record run last year and Abera, 25, crossed the line 31 seconds shy of the 2:27:25 course record, also set last year by her compatriot Ashu Kasim. Given the conditions, both the men's and women's races turned out to be tactical affairs. Men’s Race - From the gun Kiplagat led the pack of contenders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and Turkey. In the traditional Kenya versus Ethiopia contest on the Istanbul course, Ethiopia’s field prevailed over Kenya’s and arranged competition for Kiplagat throughout the race. At the fifth kilometre (15:28), Kiplagat and Ethiopian Tarku Jufar (2:10:08 season’s best) were the early leaders. Two more Ethiopians - Kasime Adilo Roba, the Istanbul Marathon winner in 2008 and 2009, and 27-year old Tsegay Gebreselassie - followed five metres behind. Moroccan Abderrahim El Asri, 29, ran another five metres behind, closely followed by Kenyan Lewis Abraham Ondati. Four Turks - Bekir Karayel, 21-year old debutant Medeni Demir, Erkan Kus, and Sabri Kara – were another 300 metres adrift. By the 10km mark the pack thinned. Kiplagat (29:52) lead with Jafar and Roba five metres back. El Asri was 15 metres behind, followed by Gebreselassie and Ondati. At 15km Jufar was even with Kiplagat but their lead was already stretched to 20 metres over the others. By 20Km (59:56) they were virtually alone at the front, some 70 metres up on El Asri and more than 100 ahead of Roba and Gebreselassie. The order changed little through to the final kilometres. Kiplagat pulled away from Jufar in the final kilometre to win by nearly 200 metres in 2:10:58. Jufar was second in 2:11:31 with Gebreselassie a distant third in 2:13:39. Women’s race – Twenty-four year-old Turk Sultan Haydar, an Ethiopian-born race walker and distance runner with a 1:10:02 Half Marathon PB to her credit from Ras Al Khaimah earlier this year, took charge of the women’s race from the start and maintained her lead almost through the entire first 30 kilometres, running five metres ahead of the pack. In the opening 5Km, here main pursuers were the Ethiopian quartet of Alemitu Abera, last year’s runner-up in Istanbul, 20-year old Fatuma Sado Dergo, Tsega Gelaw and defending champion and course record holder Ashu Kasim, all with solid sub 2:30 credentials. Some 35 to 50 metres behind a Russian trio followed: Albina Ivanova-Mayorova, Lidya Grigoryeva and Natalya Puchkova. The Turkish duo of Bahar Dogan and Ummu Kiraz lagged another 40 metres behind. &nbsp; Haydar passed 10Km point in 34:59 and 15Km in 52:12, with the Ethiopian quartet still following. The order remained the same at 20Km with only Abera dropping about five metres back. Haydar and Gelaw passed 25km in 1:26:54 with the other three Ethiopians five metres off the pace. &nbsp; Haydar’s front-running caught up with her by the 35th kilometre where she was already some 100 metres back. Abera, Dergo and Kasim came through in 2:02:09 with Gelaw 15 metres behind. Abera went on to take a six-second victory over Dergo (2:28:01). Gelaw made up ground and eventually passed Kasim to finish third (2:28:38). Yelena Kurdyumova and Sergey Porada for the IAAF Leading RESULTS:MEN -1. VINCENT KIPLAGAT, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:582. TARIKU JUFAR, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:11:313. TSEGAY GEBRESELASSIE, ETH 2:13:394. KASIME ADILO ROBA, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:14:205. ABDERRAHIM EI ASRI, MAR &nbsp; 2:14:306. BEKIR KAREYEL, TUR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:15:48 WOMEN -1. ALEMITU ABERA, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:27:562. FATUMA SADO DERGO, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:28:013. TSEGA GELAW, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:28:384. ASHU KASIM, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:30:375. ALBINA IVANOVA-MAYOROVA, RUS 2:31:166. NATALYA PUCHKOVA, RUS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:33:027. SULTAN HAYDAR, TUR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:35:068. BAHAR DOGAN, TUR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:35:479. UMMU KIRAZ, TUR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:36:17 15 KM:MEN -1. ATSEDU TSEGAY TESFAY, ETH 44:052. ABAYNEH AYELE, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 44:133. KIPROTICH YEGON, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 44:254. MOSES TOO, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 44:25 WOMEN -1. SOSENA GEZAW, ETH 50:452. BINNAZ USLU, TUR &nbsp;53:293. OZLEM KAYA, TUR &nbsp; 55:31 </DIV>

Kenyan Vincent Kiplagat successfully defended his title at the 33rd  Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon on Sunday clocking 2:10:58, while Alemitu Abera from Ethiopia claimed the women’s race in 2:27:56.

Kiplagat defends in cold and rainy Istanbul

<DIV>Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Running in nearly ideal conditions, Wilson Chebet of Kenya and Ethiopian Tiki Gelana cruised to victories at the 36th TCS Amsterdam Marathon on a sunny, nearly windless Sunday (16). Chebet won this IAAF Silver Label Road Race in 2:05:53 with the next five all cross the finish line in under 2:07. While the 26-year-old, who finished second last year in the Dutch capital, missed the course record set in 2010 by Ethiopian Getu Feleke (2:05:44) by a mere nine seconds, Gelana shaved 11 seconds off the course record set by compatriot Gete Wami nine years ago. It is known that road courses in the flat Low Countries are very fast. The Amsterdam course is certainly among them. Under the nearly ideal weather circumstances a large group in the men's race went out very fast, with splits of 14:56 and 29:27 for the opening five and ten kilometres. At the 20 kilometres marker (59:22) the leading group still consisted of 16 runners, including the pacesetters. Among the leaders was also Sileshi Sihine, the Ethiopian track star who was making his debut over the distance. But dropping out after 36 kilometres, he failed to reach the finish line in Amsterdam’s historic 1928 Olympic Stadium of Amsterdam. The compact leading group, with the eventual winner Chebet mainly in command, was reduced to eight at 35 kilometres: Chebet, pacesetters Eric Ndiema and Nicholas Manza, Paul Biwott, John Kiprotich, Laban Korir, and Elijah Keitany, all from Kenya, and Eritrean Samuel Tsegay. The two pacemakers forged on with Chebet, who broke the group in the last five kilometres. At this point Chebet, who started as favourite, opened a gap and was never in danger after that. Ndiema tried to follow Chebet but was instead overtaken by Korir in final kilometre and had to settle for third place. Korir clocked 2:06:05 ahead of Ndiema’s 2:06:07, a personal best for the former and the fastest ever performance by a junior for Ndiema, who won’t turn 19 until 28 December. Theirs’ were just two of several career bests that would fall on the quick Amsterdam course. Chebet, who won the Rotterdam Marathon in April with his personal best of 2:05:27, was very happy with his victory. "I knew I was in a very good shape and I am very proud of this victory. The second in my career and again in The Netherlands. I love the courses in this country," he said. Until the halfway point, the women's race was a four-woman affair with Ethiopians Gelan, Eyerusalem Kuma and Genet Getaneh along with Kenyan Peninah Arusei. Behind them 37-year-old Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat ran a clever race, with just one goal in mind: breaking the Dutch qualification standard for the London Olympics next year. &nbsp; Meanwhile, Gelana, Kuma and Getaneh stayed together until 30 kilometres. Just beyond that marker Gelana upped the pace and ran on alone. She eventually finished three minutes of of Kuma, the Amsterdam winner last year, 2:22:08 to 2:24:55. Kiplagat finished third in 2:25:52. well inside the Dutch Olympic women's limit of 2:27:24. “I am the happiest woman in Amsterdam, and perhaps the whole world,” Kiplagat said. Wim van Hemert for the IAAF Leading Results: MEN -1. Wilson Chebet, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:05:53 (splits: 14:56-29:27-44:25-59:22-1:02:38-1:14:08-1:29:02-1:44:01-1:58:59)2. Laban Korir, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:06:05 PB3. Eric Ndiema, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:06:07 PB4. Nicholas Manza, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:06:34 PB5. Elijah Keitany, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:06:536. Paul Biwott, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:06:54 PB7. John Kiprotich, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:07:08 PB8. Samuel Tsegay, ERI &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:07:28 PB9. Joseph Biwott, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:09:40 PB10. Evans Kiplagat, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:10:4211. Michael Shelley, AUS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:11:23 PB12. Abdelhadi El Hachimi, MAR &nbsp; 2:11:30 PB13. Tesfaldet Berhane, ERI &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:12:22 PB14. Daniel Chepyegon, UGA &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:12:3715. Michel Butter, NED &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:12:59 PB &nbsp;Dutch champion16. Luis Feitera, POR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:13:1217. Paulo Roberto Paulo, BRA &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:13:15 PB18. Mark Kennneally, IRL &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:13:55 PB19. Patrick Stitzinger, NED &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:15:20 &nbsp; &nbsp; (2nd Dutch Championships)20. Alberto Chaica, POR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:15:2221. Phil Wicks, GBR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:15:38 PB22. Manuel Hurtado, ESP &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:16:02 PB23. Olfert Molenhuis, NED &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:16:20 PB (3rd Dutch championships)24. Habtamu Fikadu, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:16:47 PB25. Clinton Perret, AUS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:17:28 PB26. Yossef Gezachw, ISR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:18:59 PB27. Shadrack Kosgei, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:19:0928. Dimitris Theodorakakos, GRE 2:19:20 PB29. Gary Thornton, IRL &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:19:29 PB30. Ronald Schroer, NED &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:20:55DNF - Sileshi Sihine, ETH and Koen Raymaekers, NED WOMEN -1. Tiki Gelana, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:22:08 PB, CR, previous 2:22:19 Gete Wami, KEN, 2002(splits: 17:13-34:01- 50:46-1:07:49-1:11:34-1:24:41-1:41:28-1:58:15-2:14:52)2. Eyerusalem Kuma, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:24:55 PB3. Lornah Kiplagat, NED &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:25:52 &nbsp;Dutch champion4. Genet Getaneh, ETH &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:25:57 &nbsp;PB5. Nailya Yulamanova, RUS &nbsp; 2:26:39 6. Peninah Arusei, KEN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:28:38 7. Veata Niagambo, NAM &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:32:128. Natalya Volgina, RUS &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:35:109. Heleen Plaatzer, NED &nbsp; &nbsp; 2:35:23 PB 2nd Dutch champion ships10. Miriam van Reijen, NED &nbsp; 2:42:05 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </DIV>

Running in nearly ideal conditions, Wilson Chebet of Kenya and Ethiopian Tiki Gelana cruised to victories at the 36th TCS Amsterdam Marathon on a sunny, nearly windless Sunday.

Chebet sizzles sub-2:06, course record for Gelana in Amsterdam

<DIV>Although Kenneth Mungara returns to Toronto on 16 October intent on winning his fourth Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon title it will be no easy task. Race director Alan Brookes has, once again, assembled a world class field worthy of the prestigious IAAF Silver Label bestowed upon the event. Chief among Mungara’s opponents will be his 28-year-old Kenyan compatriot, Nixon Machichim Kipkoech, who is rounding into form at precisely the right time to prevent the sentimental coronation of Mungara. A year ago Machichim finished fourth in the STWM with a personal best time of 2:08:22. Until the 2010 race that would have been a course record such is the current standard of this event. Now he can race knowing that the spotlight falls upon Mungara. “I feel good, I've been able to train non stop for the last four months,” he said from his home in Nandi Hills, high up in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. “I'm confident I'll run 2:08 in Toronto if there are good weather conditions and if the pacemaker will do a good job until 30 kilometers." “I feel I'm able to run 2:08. I am not sure if this is good enough to win the race but I'll do my best.” Machichim was born and raised in the Kenyan ‘running capital’ of Eldoret but moved to Nandi Hills some fifty kilometres away. As part of Italian agent Gianni Demadonna’s group he has been preparing with others, such as Joseph Ngeny (2:08:10 in the 2009 Eindhoven Marathon) for Toronto. They run each day through the area known as much for its distance running as for its many tea plantations. “I usually run around 190 to 200 kilometres per week, when I train very hard,” says Machichim. “I know this is not a lot for a top runner but, at the moment, I prefer to improve the quality of my training sessions. In the future I'll try my best and run longer. “I'm training with seven or eight athletes who are real friends of mine. Among them, Joseph Ngeny is the strongest. He will be a pacemaker in Toronto this year for 30 kilometres.” As they say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! His current training program appears to be working fine. In April of this year he won the Linz Marathon in the Austrian city with a time of 2:09:37. That’s comparable to the shape he was in several months prior to running his personal best last year. He was 3rd in the 2010 Rome Marathon with a time of 2:09:08. Asked if he has raced since Linz he replies candidly. “No, I haven't.” he says. “After the Linz marathon I took a few weeks break to rest. I started my preparation for Toronto in the middle of May. Toronto is a great race and it takes time to get ready for it.” As a professional marathoner Machichim knows he has a limited time to excel, though he can draw inspiration from Mungara who is ten years his senior. Like his contemporaries everything he does is to focus completely on running. Many Kenyans invest their earnings in farms or other industries but Machichim is even delaying such endeavours because he fears they could cause distractions. “No, I don't have any businesses as all my energy goes into training and running,” he reveals. “To start a business activity you have to have money and it takes years to get it. And, you have to run fast. When my career is over, I'll invest money earned from my running activity. “I'm not married because I believe family is very important and at this time I would not have enough time to take care of a wife and kids as I wish.” According to the staff of Demadonna Athletics Promotions Machichim can be counted on to locate other athlete clients when needed, the ‘go to guy’ of the group, who has a very professional approach to everything he does. That would bode well for his future. And what does that future look like? “I'd like to help new athletes to do athletics using my experience as a top runner,” he responds. For now the 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront is his primary focus and, in particular, giving Mungara a run for his money. Paul Gains (organisers) for the IAAF

Although Kenneth Mungara returns to Toronto on 16 October intent on winning his fourth Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon title it will be no easy task. Race director Alan Brookes has, once again, assembled a world class field worthy of the prestigious IAAF Silver Label bestowed upon the event.