Daniel Wanjiru sets new course record in men's Amsterdam marathon; leads Kitwara, Kimutai in 1-2-3 finish for Kenya

Wanjiru leads 1-2-3 sweep in Amsterdam Marathon and Ethiopia take women honours

Kenya and Ethiopian shared the spoils at the 40th TCS Amsterdam Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race on Sunday.

Little known Daniel Wanjiru, the 2016 Prague half marathon winner, and Ethiopia's track assassin Meselech Melakamu chalked wins in men's and women's 42km races in a showdown marked with sonorous cheers from thousands of fans that lined up Dutch capital's streets.

It was particularly sweet victory for Wanjiru, seven-placed at the 2014 Frankfurt Marathon, as he shaved three minutes off his best mark of 2:08.18 to set a new course record of 2:05.21.

He erased three-time Amsterdam Marathon winner Wilson Chebet's course record of 2:05.36 set in 2013.

The first intermediate time in the men's race, five-kilometre in 14:57, showed that the pacemakers enjoyed as the temperatures that stood at eight degrees Celsius and the high humidity.

A big group went through 10km (29.48), 15km (29:48) and 21km (63:18) together, battling against a strong wind as they ran along Amstel River.

Halfway, shortly after the turning point by the famous Ouderkerk, was reached in 1:03:41 and a good mark for the organisers who wanted a course record in the 40th edition of their marathon.

As the pace accelerated, some runners started to struggle. At 25km where they crossed at 74.14.43, there were only the two pacemakers and nine others, but all the favourites were still there.

A few kilometres further it was Wilson Chebet, hunting for his fourth win in the Amsterdam Marathon, who was in trouble and later fell back.

At 35km mark, the leading group consisted Daniel Wanjiru, Sammy Kitwara and Gilbert Kirui, the 2011 world youth 2,000m steeplechase champion.

It was not before Wanjiru opened a wide gap dashing Kitwara's hope for a maiden marathon win as he strolled to victory in 2:05.21.

Kitwara, who comes from Tot in Marakwet, returned second in 2:05.45 ahead of Marius Kimutai (2:05.47) and Laban Korir (2:05.54). Ezekiel Chebii (2:06.07), Felix Kandie (2:06.25), Geoffrey Kirui (2:06.27) and Bernard Kipyego (2:06.45), the two-time champion, followed.

Ethiopians Mule Wasihun (2:07.19) and Abera Kuma (2:07.48) finished ninth and tenth as Sammy Korir (2:08.19), Chebet (2:08.19) and Amos Kipruto (2:09.08) sealed top 13 spots.

Wanjiru, who is managed by Dutchman Gerard Van de Veen of Volare Sports, said: "I happy to have registered my first win in Amsterdam. I came here longing to run my first and I have made it in a course. I like Amsterdam athletics fans. They really motivated me into improving my personal best by three minutes."

Ethiopia's Meseleck Melkamu, best remembered for her track rivalry with Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, saw off a quality line up that 2011 London Marathon winner Prisca Jeptoo and Bahrain's Eunice Chumba.

Melakamu won in 2:23.21 ahead of Abebech Afework (2:24.27), Chumba (2:25.00) and Jeptoo (2:25.57).

Ethiopia's Meseret Hailu (2:27.50), Zenash Gezmu (2:32.48) of France and home-girl Ruth Van der Meijden (2:33.44) sealed top seven spots.