Cheruiyot bags gold in her maiden career Marathon in Frankfurt

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Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot claimed convincing victory in windy conditions at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road race on Sunday.

Cheruiyot, 34, timed 2hours 23 minutes 35 seconds to lower her previous best time she registered at her on her debut in London Marathon in April.

Vivian was followed by a contingent of Ethiopian runners led Yebrgual Melese (2:24:30), who finished second ahead of her compatriot Meskerem Assefa while another Ethiopian Abebech Afework came third crossing the line in 2:26:45.

Cheruiyot nicknamed ‘Pocket Rocket’, who represented Kenya at four Olympic Games passed the 40km mark in 2:15:25 on her way to maiden marathon victory.

Prior to the event, Cheruiyot emphasised her desire to set fast time (Personal Best) at the race set at the centre of Frankfurt. She led the runners through the city along the Mainzer Landstrasse through the city centre towards the Trade Fair tower before finishing on the red carpet at the Festhalle.

The multiple world champion was satisfied with her race but said the last 10km was very tough for her and thanked her fans via Twitter.

“Happy to win the Frankfurt Marathon today. Conditions were windy. The last 10k was tough thank you for the support.”

The victory prompted the Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta to send his congratulatory message vie his official twitter account saying, “You have done us proud Vivian Cheruiyot for winning the Frankfurt marathon.”

In the men’s contest, the 2016 champion Mark Korir surrendered the title to Ethiopia’s Shura Tola, who led his country to a 1-2-3 sweep. Tola clocked 2:05:50 to beat his compatriot Kelkile Gezahegn (2:06:56) while Getu Feleke finished third at 2:07:46.

Kenyan’s Martin Kosgey was the highest ranked Kenyan finishing fourth with a time of 2:09:39. Korir, the pre-race favourite settled for tenth position.

Frankfurt Marathon results:

 

Women results:

 

1. Vivian Cheruiyot          KEN       2:23:35

2. Yebrgual Melese         ETH       2:24:30

3. Meskerem Assefa      ETH       2:24:38

4. Abebech Afework      ETH        2:26:45

5. Hall Sara                          USA       2:27:21

 

Men:

 

1. Shura Tola                      ETH        2:05:50

2. Kelkile Gezahegn        ETH        2:06:56

3. Getu Feleke                  ETH        2:07:46

4. Martin Kosgey              KEN        2:09:39

5. Griffiths Dewi               G.Britain 2:09:49

6. Gabius Arne                  GER        2:09:59