Rop Rodgers (© Getty Images Allsport)
TilburgThe Netherlands is a good country for Wilson Kigen. On a sunny, warm but windy Sunday afternoon, the 21-year-old Kenyan ran the fastest 10 Miles of this year in 46.32. Kigen, who has a Tilburg manager especially came over from his home country to run this race.
With his time Kigen bettered the world season’s best of compatriot Ronald Mogaka, who ran 47.06 on September 2 at Park Forest (IL) in the USA..
The young Kenyan had already had a successful earlier foray in Holland this year. In January he won the Egmond Half Marathon, and in March he was the fastest over 20 kilometres in Alphen.
Kigen, who will make his marathon debut on October 13th at Eindhoven, outsprinted Boston Marathon winner and the holder of the world best for 25 kms, Rodgers Rop of Kenya, in the last 300 metres.
The race was dominated by Kigen and Rop, but until 8000m they had been accompanied by compatriot Robert Cheboror. The trio had passed 3000m and 5000m in 8.33 and 14.14 respectively. After Cheboror had fallen back the two leaders passed 10km in 28.33 and at 15 kms they were clocked at 43.24.
Not only Kigen but Rop (46.37) and Eliud Kurgat (47.01) who had overtaken Cheboror in the final kilometres, were faster than Mogaka’s previous season’s best, set less than a week ago.
The women’s only 10km was also a Kenyan affair, dominated by Susan Chepkemei and Lornah Kiplagat who are preparing for the New York City Marathon in November. Both women are living part of the year in the Netherlands, and Kiplagat is hoping to be granted Dutch citizenship soon.
They were far too strong for the rest of the field. They passed 3000m in 8.58 and 5000m in 15.19. In the final part of the race Chepkemei proved to be the faster, clocking 31.11. Kiplagat came home five seconds later. Third place went to Romanian Christina Pomacu in 33.02.
Results
Men's 10M
1. Wilson Kigen (Ken) 46.32 (fastest time of the year)
2. Rodgers Rop (Ken) 46.37
3. Eliud Kurgat (Ken) 47.01
4. Robert Cheboror (Ken) 48.02
5. Hugo van de Broek (Ned) 48.08
6. Ambesse Tolossa (Eth) 48.15
7. Frederic Collignon (Bel) 48.17
8. Jose Rios (Spa) 48.20
9. Jama Baligha (Mor) 48.37
10. Jeropen van Damme (Ned) 49.14
Women's 10 kms
1. Susan Chepkemei (Ken) 31.11
2. Lornah kiplagat (Ken) 31.16
3. Christina Pomacu (Rum) 33.02
4. Mara Viceconte (Ita) 34.03
5. Beata Rackonczai (Hun) 34.15
6. Vivian Ruijters (Ned) 34.28
7. Mary Ptikany (Ken) 34.31
8. Jenny Crain (USA) 34.36
9. Emily Rotich (Ken) 34.37
10. Sandra van den Haesevelde (Bel) 34.38.
