By Feverpitch Reporter and Agencies

Paul Kirui and Lydia Cheromei ensured Kenyans ruled the 33rd edition of the ING Amsterdam Marathon with victories in the men’s and women’s races.

Kirui, 28, who won the 2004 World Half Marathon title, ran a tactical race in windy conditions to cut the tape first in 2:07.51.

Lydia Cheromei after a past event. She won the ING Amsterdam marathon on Sunday.

[PHOTO: FILE}

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"When I heard, after 37 km, the second group was coming closer, I decided to go away by myself," the winner told the event’s website, www.ingamsterdammarathon.nl.

Ethiopian runner, Chala Dechase (2:08.31) took second place on his marathon debut with the 2004 winner here, Robert Cheboror, taking third place in 2.09.13.

Course record

Cheromei, who set a course record of 68:35 at this year’s Rotterdam Half Marathon, did justice to her race favourite tag by topping the women’s event in 2:25.27 in her debut in the full marathon.

Cheromei paid tribute to her child for the victory. She is returning to competitive running after a two-year IAAF ban for doping violations (2005 to 2007) and childbirth.

"I have become a stronger athlete after my baby was born. She gives me power. I am very happy with this time and my win," she told the event’s website.

Beijing marathon

In China, Benjamin Kiptoo and home runner Bai Xue were the winners in yesterday’s HYX Beijing International Marathon, in 2:10:14 and 2:26:27.

Under relatively blue skies, the men’s race unfolded with a large lead pack that thinned considerably around the halfway point, leaving nine runners in contention.

At the 32km mark, China’s Ren Longyun pulled away with three Kenyans, Kiptoo, Luka Chelimo, and Simon Wangai.

A kilometre later the Chinese had himself been dropped, setting up a three-way Kenyan sprint to the finish, with Kiptoo setting the pace.

personal best

In the final kilometres, the winner surged to the finish, breaking the tape in 2:10:14, shy of his personal best of 2:09:24.

Chelimo crossed the finish line in 2:10:30 for second place and a 17-second personal best. Wangai followed 22 seconds later for third (2:10:52).

In the women’s race Xue outpaced countrywoman and defending champion Chen Rong, who finished second in 2:28:25, with Zhang Yingying placing third in 2:28:52. Kenya’s Hellen Kimutai, considered the top foreign contender on the women’s side, placed fourth in 2:29:19.