Athletics Briefs: Wanjiru defend title in Chicago; Kamathi 2:07:38 in Eindhoven; Fast 10k for Komon and more...

CHICAGO (USA, Oct 10): Olympic gold medalist Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru defended his Bank of America Chicago Marathon title with a furious finishing kick to pass Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede in one of the race’s greatest finishes.

The 23-year-old Kenyan won in 2:06:24. Kebede was 2nd in 2:06:43 and Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa was 3rd in 2:08:10. Wesley Korir, a Kenyan living in USA clocked 2:08:44 for fourth ahead of other Kenyans Vincent Kipruto 2:09:08 and Robert Kipruto Cheruiyot 2:09:28.

EINDHOVEN (NED, Oct 10): Former track world champion Charles Kamathi won the Eindhoven marathon in pretty fast 2:07:38. In close finish the same time also for second Nicolas Chelimo 2:07:38.

Third Paul Biwott achieved 2:07:40 and fourth Yared Dagnaw of Eritrea career fastest 2:08:13. Three more Kenyans dipped under 2:10.

CARPI (ITA, Oct 10): New course record at 23rd Maratona d´Italia (Memorial Enzo Ferrari). Kenyan Paul Kosgei who is former world half-marathon champion achieved 2:09:00 what is also his lifetime best in 7th marathon.

Second Dickson Chumba got 2:09:20 (also PB) and third Ethiopian Dawit Shami Abdullah went from 2:12 level to career fastest 2:09:50. Third fastest winning time in women category for Kenyan Hellen Wanjiku in her marathon debut 2:27:16.

Impressive improvement also for second 30-years old Lithuanian Diana Lobacevske from 2:35:06 to 2:28:03. Third Kenyan Giorgina Rono 2:30:55.

BERLIN (GER, Oct 10): Kenyan road 10 km world record holder Leonard Komon established a German All-Comers 10 km road best at the ASICS Grand 10. His final time was high quality 27:12 (world record is 26:44).

Poland´s Agnieszka Gortel was the fastest woman in the field of 7145 runners from 27 nations. In cool but sunny weather conditions she clocked 34:15. Komon is now the only athlete to have run the 10 km on the road inside 27:15 minutes three times (26:44, 27:10 and 27:12).

“Before the race I was nut sure if I would be able to break my world record once again. But it was still a superb race and the spectators were great,” said Leonard Komon, who now ends his season.

Second placed Mike Kigen also achieved a world-class time of 27:25, which additionally is a personal best for the Kenyan. Fellow Kenyans Jacob Cheshari (28:10), Micah Kogo (28:24) and Stephen Tum (28:25) took the next places.

PORTO (POR, Oct 10): Fast half-marathon in Porto as Kenyan Stephen Kosgei clocked 1:00:09 in close finish over Matthew Kisorio 1:00:10 and Kiplimo Kimutai 1:01:00. Best home runner Rui Silva achieved 1:03:00 as 7th (PB).

Former world champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia as best woman achieved 1:13:49 beating Kenyans Monica Wangari (1:13:52) and Pamela Chepchumba (1:13:54).

GRAZ (AUT, Oct 10): Graz Marathon winner in excellent fall weather (11 degrees, sunny) was 18-years old Kenyan Robert Kirui in 2:13:31. Women win also for Kenya when Mildred Kiminy achieved 2:38:29. In total 7830 runners. Austrian titles for Roman Weger (2:20:08, his fourth national win at the distance) who was fourth overall and Susanne Pumper in 2:50:32 (second overall).

BRUSSELS (BEL, Oct 10): Kenyan Levi Matebo won the Brussels marathon in good 2:13:30. His team-mate Kenneth Kiprono was second (2:16:51). Belgian title for Gino Van Geyte as fourth (2:23:24).

MELBOURNE (AUS, Oct 10): Ethiopian Mulu Seboka won the Melbourne Marathon in women category with course record 2:32:20. In the men’s category, Japhat Kipkorir also set a new course when he finished first in 2:11.04. Last year’s winner Asnake Fekadu, of Ethiopia, was second in 2:15.31.

Courtesy Alfonz Juck / EME News