Benoit Zwierzchlewski of France (© Patrick Merle)
ParisThe 26old defending champion Benoit Zwierzchlewski of France made a determined effort to contest the expected Kenyan dominance of this year’s Paris Marathon, and though coming just short of Mike Rotich’s win - 2:06:33 - tied the European best of 2:06.36 in second place.
Today’s race attracted a field of 34,500 runners, and Zwierzchlewski’s effort was enough to equal Portuguese Antonio Pinto’s old continental mark (London 2000).
Zwierzchlewski was elated and when, despite relentlessly closing on Rotich towards the finish line, he realised that he wasn’t going to catch the Kenyan in time, the Frenchman began blowing kisses to the crowds of spectators. As he crossed the finish just behind Rotich, he first threw himself to the ground in a dramatic gesture to emphasise his dramatic run and kissed the road, and then turned on his back and punched the air in triumph at the time.
The 27th edition of Paris Marathon was the scene of excellent performances overall, with no fewer than 4 runners under 2:07.
The field of runners entered didn't lead anyone to predict such an outcome. Only two runners had personal bests below 2:08 : Driss El Himer (2:07:02 in Amsterdam in 2001) and Mohamed Ouaadi (2:07:55 in Fukuoka in 1999). The race was above all the last opportunity for French elite runners - all present but Larbi Zeroual who'll be running in Rotterdam - to get a qualifying mark (2:12) for the World Championships in Paris or convince the selectors of their current state of fitness.
Achieving a good time was less of a need for Benoit Z (who benefits from a protected qualification status thanks to his participation at last summer’s European championships) and Mohamed Ouaadi (who had run 2:08:53 in New York), than for Driss El Himer whose outings last year (2:14:57 in Seoul and 2:11:51 in Chicago) were far less convincing than his debut in Amsterdam.
However, such a scenario didn't reckon with the fact that Benoit Zwierzchlewski didn't want to relinquish his Paris title without a fight, and as it turned out, last year's winner was the boss of the race, having asked for a fast pace of 3 minutes per kilometre.
The pace makers followed the instructions well (2:51 for km 1, 6:00 at km 2, 14:55 at km 5, 29:57 at km 10, 45:08 at km 15, 59:51 at km 20) but the tempo proved too high for Tanzania's Zebedayo Bayo – winner of Tokyo marathon in February – who was already 16 seconds behind the leading pack after 10 km. Then between 10km and 15km, Italy's Migido Bourifa (placed 3rd last year) and Mohamed Ouaadi progressively also lost contact.
At half marathon point, there were still nine runners in contention Zwierzchlewski and El Himer being the only ones to hold off the Kenyan challenge. The first surging attempt by Mike Rotich occurred around 30km (1:29:44), when the men's leading group closed the gap with the leaders of the women's race, who started 17 minutes earlier in the hope that both races would end around the same time. By that time there were only four women left in contention: Banuelia Mrashani (Tanzania), Rosaria Console (Italy), Beatrice Omwanza (Kenya) and Hafida Gadi Richard (France).
On the men's side, Rotich initiated a series of attacks which led to the dropping of David Kosgei first, Philip Tarus and then Haron Toirotich by 37km. El Himer and Wilson Onsare seemed to react well to Rotich's moves, while Zwierzchlewski appeared to be struggling, and indeed dropped a few metres by 39km. However, when El Himer (renowned for his sprint) mounted an attack, it was too late and within one kilometre, he was already slowing down.
The same could not be said for Zwierzchlewsk who in contrast to El Himer’s form, was gaining strength as the final run to the final took place, and while victory went to Rotich by a clear margin, the public had the pleasure of seeing Benoit chasing him down the home-straight, pushed by the prospect of achieving the European best.
“Yes, I was confident, no the race wasn't too tough, no the pace wasn't too fast,” said the winner.
Benoit Z, was by contrast overwhelmed by his own performance – “I managed my race well. I think I was the boss of the leading pack. I really went for the European record. That's why I didn't go for the victory in the end. In the last 4-5km I felt that the Kenyan was too strong, though he wasn't unbeatable but I preferred to focus on Driss (El Himer) who also was a contender for the record. I've been preparing for the marathon for 6 years now. I think it's a speciality in itself, as Khannouchi showed it when he beat Tergat and Gebrselassie. Paris is not known as a fast marathon so I've no more reason to be envious of the best now.”
The women's race evolved in two stages, a bit after 30km when the big favourite Banuelia Mrashani and Rosaria Console stepped up the pace leaving Beatrice Omwanza and Hafida Gadi Richard a few dozens metres behind, and then at 32km Rosaria Console took the command alone.
The surge was maybe too early though, and what was to be a certain victory turned into a terrible upset, as Kenya's Beatrice Omwanza progressively managed to close the gap, out-sprinting the Italian in the home-straight with lowering her personal best by 8 minutes for her second marathon.
Carole Fuchs for IAAF
RESULTS - times unofficial
Men
1. Mike Rotich (Kenya) 2:06:33
2. Benoit Zwierzchlewski (France) 2:06:36
3. Wilson Onsare (Kenya) 2:06:47 (debut)
4. Driss El Himer (France) 2:06:48
Women
1. Beatrice Omwanza (Kenya) 2:27:44
2. Rosaria Console (Italy) 2:27:48
3. Banuelia Mrashani (Tanzania) 2:29:13
