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The Nairobian

Kenyan athletes shine in European, Asian Marathons

Athletics

By Clinton Nyabuto | Apr 08, 2019

Kenyan athletes came out triumphant after snatching victories and smashing records in European and Asian Marathons held on Sunday, April 7, 2019.

Rotterdam Marathon

In the 40^th NN Rotterdam Marathon held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Kenya’s Marius Kipserem reclaimed his title with a course record of 2:04:11.

“I’m very happy with my victory and course record,” said the 30-year-old, who took exactly two minutes off the personal best he set when winning in Rotterdam in 2016.

“At 39 kilometres it seemed as though the course record might not be possible, but thankfully I was able to speed up,” Kipserem added.

Milano Marathon

The mood was the same in Milan as Kenya’s Titus Ekiru and Vivian Kiplagat shattered the Italian all-comers records at the 19th Generali Milano Marathon that was marred by heavy rains.

Ekiru toppled his challengers in the men’s race clocking 2:04:46 to blow his previous personal best of 2:07:43 which he set in Seville last year. He also smashed the 2:07:13 Italian all-comers record set by Edwin Koech in 2017.

“I did not expect to run so fast,” said Ekiru.

“The weather conditions were not bad and the race course was very fast. I tried my best and at 30 kilometres I could push the pace by myself,” Ekiru added.

It was a Kenyan show in the men’s race as Ekiru was followed closely by a pack of Kenyan athletes with Evans Kiplagat, Edwin Koech and Hosea Kiprono clocking 2:07:22, 2:08:24 and 2:09:02 respectively.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Vivian Kiplagat could not be caught by her competitors as she broadened the gap early in the race to clock 2:22:25, 10 minutes off her Kenyan counterpart Joan Kigen who finished second after clocking 2:32:32.

Hannover Marathon

In Germany, Silas Mwetich and Racheal Mutgaa snatched a Kenyan double in the men and women’s competition at the HAJ Hannover Marathon.

Mwetich made it to the finish line first in 2:09:37 and was followed closely by Kenyan counterpart Hosea Kipkemboi who clocked 2:10:40.

**Silas Mwetich on the course to win the men's race in the Hannover Marathon [Courtesy]**

In the women’s race, Mutigaa proved too hot to handle as she clocked a course record of 2:26:15. The 31-year-old clipped her own career best from 2:28:39.

Daegu Marathon

Kenya’s Felix Kipchirchir came out blazing in the Daegu Marathon in South Korea finishing the race in 2:05:33 and breaching the course record of 2:06:29 set by Abraham Kiptum in 2018.

Kipchirchir hit the ground running with a long split that could not be handled by his competitors.

In the women’s race, it was a tight contest as Pamela Rotich clocked 2:28:10 to regain the title she won in 2017 with Ethiopia's Medina Deme Amino finishing just one second behind.

Vienna City Marathon

Things fell into place for Kenyans in Vienna, Austria in the 36th Vienna City Marathon with Vincent Kipchumba winning the men’s race with a personal best of 2:06:56.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Nancy Kiprop led her Kenyan counterparts with a spectacular performance as she dismantled the women’s course record by over a minute and a half in 2:22:12.

Kenya’s Angela Tanui and Maurine Chepkemoi finished second and third respectively after clocking 2:25:37 and 2:26:16.

Congratulations to our athletes for raising the Kenyan flag high in Europe and Asia.