Kenyans dominate half marathon in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires

Kenya's Kiplimo Kimutai and Alice Chelangay Sunday won the men's and women's divisions, respectively, of this year's half marathon (21 kilometers) in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, considered to be the largest race of its kind in South America.

The ninth edition of the race, which drew more than 17,700 runners, saw Kimutai win first place with a time of one hour, two minutes and 51 seconds (1:02:51).

Fellow Kenyan Nicholas Manza Kamakya was runner up by just under 45 seconds (1:03:34) and Brazil's Oyeni da Silva Medeiros took third place (1:06:24).

In the women's race, Chelangay came in first with a time of 1:13:20, followed by Brazil's Adriana Aparecida da Silva (1:14:05), with also a 45-second lag, and Argentina's Rosa Godoy (1:14:25).

The route took in emblematic sites of the capital, such as the Obelisk, Cabildo and Colon Theater.

Officials from the world of sports were there to signal the start of the race, including Sebastian Coe, president of the Organizing Committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Philip Craven, president of Britain's Paralympic Committee, and Jose Maria Valladares, president of Argentina's Paralympic Committee.

The half marathon began at 7:30 a.m. local time (1030 GMT) in Buenos Aires' Belgrano district, and runners had ideal sunny spring-day conditions.

Adapted from (Xinhua.com)