News20 Nov 2004


Korir wins, as 33,000 take to the streets for Lagos Half Marathon

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John Korir (KEN) after winning the 2004 Lagos Half Marathon (© Saletti)

Lagos, NigeriaThe 3rd edition of the AFN / MTN Lagos International Half Marathon was held today, Saturday 20 November, in Lagos the commercial centre of Nigeria, West Africa.

The winners of the first two editions, Kenyans Paul Kosgei (2002) and Elijah Nyabuti (2003) came back together with some of their world beating countrymen to participate in the biggest road race on the African continent which had 33,289 registered entries.

International stars from Ethiopia, South Africa, Morrocco together with West African nationals, Senegal and Niger highlighted this race which was held in tough, hot and humid conditions starting just before 8 am on the Outer Marina Highway in the centre of Lagos.

Surge at 2km secures win for Korir

After a well organised start the runners took off towards VictorIa Island, on the southern side of Lagos. The men’s field included a leading group which consisted of most of the top international runners. After about 11 km, just after passing the famous Bar Beach area, the leading group came down to just five runners, Kosgei and Nyabuti, together with Wilson Kiprotich and John Korir also of Kenya, and Alene Emere of Ethiopia.

At 13 km, Kosgei was forced to drop out of the race due to an injury, as the other four runners continued at a grueling pace in the over 30 degree Celsius heat.

Korir made a surge with 2 km to go to the finish line and got a slight lead which he was able to keep until the finish in the National Stadium of Lagos at Surulere.He won in 63:05, a time beating the previous course record set by Kosgei in 2002 by over 40 seconds.

It was a tough fight for second place between Kiprotich and Emere, with the Kenyan managing to secure second place, while the Ethiopian suffered from the effects of the humidity and the heat. It was significant to note that these top 3 finishers were amongst the top 8 in the recent IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in New Delhi.

Local battles

The national Nigerian interest was focused on the top finishers of the four regionals half marathons held in the previous two months, and also sponsored by telecom gigant MTN, who earned the place on the elite startline.

William Eku who had featured in the regional races came in 9th place overall and as the top Nigerian finisher he won a Kia car but he was challenged by Danjuma Gyang and Danjuma Monday both from Plateau State, but was able to hang on and reach the finish first.

Kenyan women’s victory too

The women’s category saw a Kenyan winner, Jennifer Chesinon who had travelled to Nigeria with just a day’s notice to replace another Kenyan runner in the race. Second place went to Ethiopian Leila Aman, with South African running legend  Elana Meyer finishing in third place.

An excited Chesinon said immediately after finish the race, ”please invite me to next year’s race,  I want to come back, it was a very nice race”!

The National Stadium of Lagos was the scene of a typical finish to a big city mass participation race with a concert outside the Stadium for all participants.

Ulf Saletti for the IAAF


Results

3rd AFN / MTN Lagos International Half Marathon   

Men:  
1 John Korir KEN 63:05
2 Wilson Kiprotich KEN 63:13
3 Alene Emere ETH 63:18
4 Elijah Nyabuti KEN 63:48
5 Robert Kipchumba KEN 65:45
6 Abdella Meftah MAR 66:22
7 Youssef Songoka KEN 69:06
8 Dan Kabirou Mallam NIG 69:43
9 Wilson Eku NGR 1:10.08
10 Danjuma Gyang NGR 1:10.33
11 Danjuma Monday NGR 1:11.10
12 Abdallah Falil MAR 1:12.03
13 Souley Oumasrou NIG 1:12.14
14 Oumar Bachir NIG 1:12.37
15 Cheikh Ndiaye SEN 1:12.41


Women: 
  
1 Jennifer Chesinon KEN 1:16.34
2 Leila Aman ETH 1:20.44
3 Elana Meyer RSA 1:24.40
4 Janet Dung NGR 1:34.45
5 Mercy Edward NGR 1:34.50
6 Helen Azubuike NGR 1:35.37

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