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Martin Lel and Chunxiu Zhou - Winners at London Marathon |
LONDON: Martin Lel from Kenya (and coached by Dr. Gabriele Rosa of Italy) repeated his win from 2005 at today´s 27th London Marathon. His victory came on a morning of great disappointment for both pre-race favourites Haile Gebrselassie and Paul Tergat who failed to live up to their star billings. Gebrselassie aiming for a first-ever victory on his third appearance, sensationally dropped out just before 20 miles. "I just don't know - maybe it was something I drank," said the Ethiopian after his shock exit. Tergat 37, was still in contention until the last mile, when he failed to match the pace of his younger rivals and drifted backwards to finish sixth in 2:08:06. Lel with his determined turn of speed in the final 300 metres, beat off the challenge of Abderrahim Goumri, defeating the Moroccan debutant by three seconds in 2:07:41.The pair fought a tense duel when breaking away from defending championn Limo who crossed the line in a time of 2:07:47. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Dan Robinson was the first Briton to break the tape finishing ninth in a time of 2hr 14min 14sec.Jon Brown expected to lead the home challenge was a non-starter, pulling out of the race early in the morning after a bout of sickness which began 24 hours earlier. European Champion Stefano Baldini went out after 26 km due to cramps.
Asian Games champion Chunxiu Zhou was a runaway winner of the women's title storming to an unchallenged victory in a world leading time of 2:20:38. The Chinese athlete who broke away in the last three miles, easily headed off the challenge of Ethiopia's Gete Wami and Constantina Tomescu-Dita who posted marks of 2:21:45 and 2:23:55. Mara Yamauchi placing sixth for the second successive year, was just 28 seconds shy of her personal best set on that occasion, when recording a mark of 2:25:41. Liz Yelling who finished two postions behind, struck 14 seconds from her lifetime quickest when clocking 2:30:44, admirable running in the hot weather conditions (nearly 21 degrees at finish). Winners got 55 000 USD for first place and time bonuses Lel 25 000 and Zhou 50 000 USD. There were nearly 35 000 starters from 18 to 85 years old. There has been so far 19 better men times in history of this Marathon than today winning time. Zhou winner is the 6th fastest in the history.
Results – top 8:
Men: 1. Lel,KEN 2:07:41, 2. Goumri,MAR 2:07:44 (debut), 3. F. Limo,KEN 2:07:47, 4. Gharib,MOR 2:07:54, 5. Ramaala, RSA 2:07:56, 6. Tergat, KEN 2:08:06, 7. Hall,USA 2:08:24 (debut), 8. M. Gomes,BRA 2:08:37 PB, …11. B. Cherono, KEN 2:18:55, only 11 runners sub 2:20
Wom: 1. Zhou, CHN 2:20:38 WL, 2. Wami, ETH 2:21:45, 3. Tomescu, ROM 2:23:55, 4. S. Kosgei, KEN 2:24:13, 5. Kiplagat, NED 2:24:46, 6. Yamauchi, GBR 2:25:41, 7. B. Johnson, AUS 2:29:47, 8. L. Yelling, GBR 2:30:44, 9. Abitova, RUS 2:34:25 (track 10 000 m 2006 European Champion), 10. Adere, ETH 2:39:11,…25. Liz McColgan, GBR 2:50:38
In the World Marathon Majors standings winner Lel moved into second place but even with another win he cannot overcome leader Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot. On the women side Gete Wami came close to Prokopcuka and one more win in case that the Latvian will not score would make it. There are still four races to come in 2006/07 season (Osaka Worlds, Berlin, Chicago and New York):
World Marathon Majors 2006/07 standings after London:
Men: 1. Cheruiyot, KEN 75, 2. Lel, KEN 40, 3. F. Limo, KEN 35, 4t. Gebrselassie,ETH, dos Santos,BRA and Kiogora, KEN all 25
Wom: 1. Prokopcuka, LAT 55, 2. Wami, ETH 40, 3. Jeptoo, KEN 35, 4. Adere, ETH 30, 5t. Grigoryeva, RUS and Kastor, USA both 26, 7. Zhou, CHN 25
MARATHONS
MADRID (ESP): Some 13 000 runners competed at jubilee 30th marathon in Madrid. Both wins went to Kenya. Unheralded Jonathan Kipkosgei (last year second in Shanghai) scored huge PB in 2:12:42. His countrymates Philip Sanga (2:13:44) and Augustus Kavutu (2:14:54, his best is 2:11:39) were second and third. Best European was homer runner Israel Garcia Carrasco as 10th (2:25:29). Pauline Chepkorir (KEN) was the best woman (2:48:46) before home Remedios Alonso (2:58:11). It was more than 20 degrees at the finish line.
PADUA (ITA): 8th Padua Marathon brought good news for home marathoning scene. Alberico Di Cecco finished second in excellent 2:10:39 and women winner Vincenza Sicari clocked new PB 2:30:34. As www.fidal.it reports Lucilla Andreucci was second (2:33:29) and pre-race favourite Marily dos Santos from Brasil third (2:39:45). Paul Kipkosgei Kogo saved the Kenyan dominance while winning in new best of 2:10:38 (so far he had 2:13:48 as 5th last year in Thessaloniki). Third another Kenyan and former solid track runner Joseph Lomala in debut 2:14:12.
BONN (GER): Unknown Kenyan David Kuino won the race here in new PB 2:14:05. His countrymates Matthew Serem (2:15:02) and John Kirui (2:15:34) completed the podium. German runner Christiane Dobmeier surprised the favourites and won in 2:47:05. Kenyan Jackline Cheptoo finished second (2:53:11) and title defender Valentina Delion (Moldavia) third in 2:53:51. Top home distance runner Sabrina Mockenhaupt won the half-marathon in 1:11:56.
WROCLAW (POL): Ukrainian Taras Salo was the best at 25th jubilee marathon in the polish city. Despite good conditions the times were not at expected level. Winning result was 2:18:04, another runner from Ukraine Viktor Starodubtsev was second (2:20:41) and Kenyan Reuben Toroitich third (2:21:30). At least in women section a home win for Katarzyna Dziwosz in 2:49:06 (PB).
ANTWERP (BEL): Here David Kibet (35) achieved the expected win for Kenya in 2:16:37. Belgian Rik Ceulemans was only close second by 19 s (2:16:56). 33years old home runner Anja Smolders won the women section in her debut 2:41:20. In total 16 000 runners were expected in all events and categories.
ENSCHEDE (NED): Thomson Cherongwony from Kenya won the 39th Enschede Marathon in very solid best debut of 2:11:34. He was one minute behind the course record 2:10:33 by Ethiopian Girma Tola in 2004. Jonathan Kipsaina also from winning country was second in 2:13:54 and third place went to Ethiopian Tekeste Nekatibebe (2:14:16).
LEIPZIG (GER): Slovak title defender won the 31st Leipzig marathon. Marcel Matanin achieved 2:26:21 and was expecting more. Best women did not run under 3 hours.
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Alfons Juck
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