Kipruto wins Frankfurt Marathon in Kenyan sweep

FRANKFURT, Germany

Kenya’s Vincent Kipruto (right) crosses the finish line to win the Frankfurt Marathon ahead of Mark Kiptoo in Frankfurt, Germany

Vincent Kipruto broke away from a small pack and then battled home in the final stretch with fellow Kenyan Mark Kiptoo to win the BMW Frankfurt Marathon in a time of 2:06:15 on Sunday.

Kiptoo, who stayed with Kipruto when the pair separated themselves from a group of five runners, finished second in 2:06:16, while third place went to Elijah Kemboi, also of Kenya in a time of 2:07:34.

Feyisa Bekel was the first runner outside of the Kenyan party to cross the line with the Ethiopian taking sixth in 2:09:17.

The women’s race was won by Caroline Kilel, a Frankfurt champion in 2010 and she crossed the finishing line in 2:22:34. The time was a new personal best for Kilel.

She defeated Flomena Chepchirchir, who clocked 2:23:00 and Birhane Dibaba (2:23:01), both also running personal bests on their way to podium positions.

The biggest cheers on the women’s side and in fact, on the day came when home favourtite Anna Hahner of Germany cross the line in eighth spot with a time of 2:27:55. She actually was given her own take to break, even though she didn’t win.

Also getting a huge cheer was fellow countrywoman Lisa Hahner, who was 11th in 2:30:17.                         

   —AP