Amsterdam Marathon: Cherono breaks Amsterdam Marathon course record

Lawrence Cherono won the 42th TCS Amsterdam Marathon in 2:05 and 8sec. breaking course record

Tadelech wins Ethiopia versus Kenya duel in women race as Chesir finish second in the Dutch capital.

Lawrence Chereno led Kenyan men to a podium sweep as he grabbed top honours with a new course record of 2:05:09 at the 42nd edition of Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday.

Making a late surge, Cherono, 29, outsprinted his compatriot Nobert Kigen who clocked 2:05:13 to finish second with fellow country-man, the two-time Lagos Marathon winner Abraham Kiptum crossing the line in 2:05:26 to complete the podium. 

Kigen’s time was also inside previous course record of 2:05.21 held by Kenyan Daniel Wanjiru set in 2016. The Amsterdam Marathon is renowned for its fast course and flat route.

At 35km, the leading pack started to disintegrate with Cherono, Kigen and Kiptum showing the intention of winning the race in a humid and windy condition.

“Tough race really. At 35km, we were all in there, that’s why I decided to just stay a little behind the leaders. I am extremely happy to break the course record and at the same time post my new personal best time. It’s a great celebration for me,” said Cherono who finished second at Rotterdam Marathon in April this year. 

Ethiopia’s Mule Wasihun was fourth, timing 2:05:39 with Laban Korir of Kenya finishing the race in fifth place in a time of 2:07.01. At the same time Somalia-born Dutch Abdi Nageeye broke the Dutch marathon record in 2:08:16 previously held by Kamiel Maase (2:08:21).

The humid condition took toll on former event’s champion Wilson Chebet who has been synonymous with Amsterdam race and pre-race favorite Amos Kipruto posting did not finish (DNF).

In the women's contest, Ethiopian Tadelech Bekele became the fastest woman in the Amsterdam Marathon history when she won the race with a lifetime best of 2.21.55 beating Kenyan Gladys Chesir to second place.

Chesir clocked 2 hours, 24 minutes 51 seconds on her Amsterdam Marathon debut beating Ethiopian Azmera Abreha (2:25.23) who was also making the event debut.

The 24-year Chesir first made her mark internationally when she won 3000m gold at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. 

Viola Kibwott, former IAAF world Under-20 champion was fourth crossing the line in 2:25.32 ahead of USA-based Kenyan and former Boston Marathon champion Caroline Rotich who took the field through 25km in 1:23.28 alongside Bekele before ending the race in 2:26.26 at fifth place.