Athletics: Kiptoo leads Kenyan cleansweep in Frankfurt

Mark Kiptoo of Kenya raises his hands after winning the Frankfurt Marathon, clocking a time of 2:06:49 hours in Frankfurt, Germany, 26 October 2014. Source: EPA/ROLAND HOLSCHNEIDER

Mark Kiptoo put behind him his second placed finish in 2013 by winning the Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday and in the process leading a Kenyan cleansweep of the podium places in the men's race.

The 38-year-old, who won 5000m bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, crossed the line in two hours, six minutes and 49 seconds in an exciting race whose outcome was decided only in the final kilometre.

Mike Kigen was a close second in 2:06:59 with Gilbert Yegon third in 2:07:08 after defending champion Vincent Kipruto, also of Kenya, lost contact with the lead group after around the 30 kilometre mark.

The African domination continued in the women's race as Ethiopia's Aberu Kebede comfortably took the 2014 title in 2:21:21 ahead of Kenya's Sharon Chebet 2:23:44 with another Ethiopian Ashetu Bekere third in 2:24:59.