Sanya Richards-Ross, photo by PhotoRun.net

KOECH
BEATS KIPROP

BERLIN
(GER, Apr 1): The Vattenfall Berlin Half Marathon has confirmed ist position as
one of the world’s leading races at the distance. It was Kenya’s Denis Koech,
who upset his fellow countryman and reigning World Champion Wilson Kiprop,
beating him by just one second with a world-class time of 59:14 minutes.
With his first sub one hour time Koech placed himself among the 20 fastest half
marathon runners ever. The women’s race also produced a thrilling sprint
finish. Philes Ongori beat her fellow Kenyan Helah Kiprop by one second,
winning in 1:08:25. A record number of 29,246 runners had entered the 32nd
edition of the race. For the first time in the history of the race five men
clocked sub one hour times: Kenyans Ezekiel Chebii (59:22), Pius Kirop (59:25)
and Paul Kipchumba (59:53) took third, fourth and fifth places. Koech’s winning
time if the third fastest in the event’s history and the fourth fastest in the
world this year. Best European was Austrian Markus Hohenwarter as 13th in
1:04:41. In women race third Kenyan Caroline Chepkwony followed in 1:08:36,
making it three under 69 minutes for the first time in the event’s history.
Karolina Jarzynska of Poland was fourth 1:10:56 and Vicoty Chepkemoi fifth
1:11:12. Sixth placed Andrea Mayr ran Austrian record of 1:11:49. Organizers
are informing.

OTHER ROAD RESULTS

POZNAN
(POL, Apr 1): Kenyan wins at 5th Poznan Half Marathon. Lucy Macharia clocked
new women course record 1:10:26 beating Russian Nadezhda Trilinskaya 1:12:14.
In men´s race Solomon Kiptoo got 1:02:00 ahead fo Tola Bane of Ethiopia 1:02:28
and Edwin Kiptoo of Kenya 1:03:00. In total 4402 runners finished.

BRATISLAVA
(SVK, Apr 1): The 7th CSOB Bratislava City Marathon was marred by strong winds,
cold weather and partly snow showers. Despite that Kenyan Lucy Murigi (last
year half winner here) achieved new course record in women category 2:42:21.
Second Hungarian Reka Batai 2:46:15 and third title defender and previous
course record holder (2:45:30 in 2011) Lillian Koech of Kenya 2:49:32. In men´s
race Kenyan Micah Kiplagat Samoei remained alone after 35 km (half in 1:08:19)
and achieved second fastest ever in the history of the race 2:21:08. Another
Kenyan Richard Chepkwony was with him but after 35th km faded due to cold
weather and was even checked in the hospital. Second Elisha Sawe of Kenya
2:21:42 and third Oleg Gur of Belarus 2:22:13. Half winners from Kenya were
Stephen Kiplimo 1:04:25 and Nancy Koech 1:14:48. In all races new participation
record of 7785 runners.

THESSALONIKI
(GRE, Apr 1): The 7th Alexander the Great Marathon with less financial
background as in the past saw Ethiopian winner Teklugetu Netaferia in 2:18:44
as the only one with sub 2:20. In women category the top runners was Romanian
Alina Nitouleasa in 2:56:33.

RABAT
(MAR, Apr 1): Kenyan Julius Arile won the 8th Rabat Half marathon in 1:01:07.
Just one second ahead of Pkumun Loritenyang 1:01:08 and best Ethiopian Gebre
Gebremehdin 1:01:23. Moroccan champion was Khalid Saaden as 7th in 1:02:29.
Ethiopian Mekasha Kaganesh was the best woman in 1:11:11 ahead of Kenyan Mercy
Jemutai 1:11:19 and Marisa Barros of Portugal 1:12:01.

SANTIAGO
(CHI, Apr 1): Kenyan Peter Lemayian won the Maraton de Santiago 2012 in Chile
with 2:12:52. Second Miguel Angel Almachi of Ecuador achieved London qualifier
2:15:02. Women winner Natalia Romero of Chile also got Olympic qualifier
2:34:57.

BRUNSSUM
(NED, Apr 1): Kenyan Philip Yego clocked fast and world leading 27:50 at 10 km
to win the 24th Parelloop. Second Alfred Cherop 27:59 and third Richard Sigei
28:01. Best European Denmark´s Abdi Ulad in 28:57 as 9th. In women race Esther
Chemtai clocked 31:33 ahead of Dutch Hilda Kibet 31:43 and Valentine Kibet
32:16.

WASHINGTON
(USA, Apr 1): Sunday morning in Washington, D.C. roughly 15 000 runners took
part in the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. Kenya’s Allan
Kiprono, last year’s second place finisher, won in a course record-time of
45:15. Second Lani Kiplagat 46:28 ahead of John Korir 47:33 and best US runner
Ian Burrell 47:34. Julliah Pinega, also from Kenya, won the women’s race for
the second year in a row, conquering the 10 mile route in a time of
54:02. Second Moroccan Malika Mejdoub 54:24 and third Ethiopian Washington DC
resident Yunilesh Delelcha 54:33 and fourth Poland´s Agnieszka Ciolek 54:36
ahead of Briton Claire Hallissey 54:37. Local media are informing.

MADRID
(ESP, Apr 1): Eliud Kipserem won the Madrid Half Marathon in course record
1:02:07. Jane Mwikali was the best in women category after 1:13:16 just one
second ahead of Ana Dias of Portugal 1:13:17.

READING
(GBR, Apr 1): Edwin Kipyego won the Reading Half Marathon clocking 1:03:08
ahead of another Kenyan Bernard Chemugo 1:03:38. Alice Mogire with 1:11:01
ahead of Eunice Kales both of Kenya 1:11:24 were the top women.

ROANNE
(FRA, Apr 1): Denis Mayaud won the French 10 km road title in 29:18. Best woman
Natalia Laubertie 34:14.

AGROPOLI
(ITA, Apr 1): Kenyan Hillary Bii won the Agropoli Half Marathon in 1:03:21.

CARRARA
(ITA, Apr 1): 4th Stracarrara 10 km road race was won by Kenyans Hosea Kisorio
29:47 and Divina Jepkosgei 34:17.

VESZPREM
(HUN, Mar 31): There was a 6 hours run in Veszprém. The distance was
controlled because Hungarian Gábor Muhari announced to break the world best
performance (Thomas Chawawko POL 92 188m in 2004). It was a success for
him because Muhari ran 92 613 m.

SANYA
GETS WINDY 10.89 AT THE 100 M, ACUFF RETURNS WITH 195 CM

AUSTIN
(USA, Mar 31): Texas Relays saw Sanya Richards-Ross at her best winning the 100
m in windy (+2.9) but still fast 10.89 in her first race at the distance since
2008. Second Porscha Lucas 11.11. She also anchored the Hart of Texas team in the
4×400 m 3:27.03 with 51.5 split. Kimberlyn Duncan won the other 100 m race in
also windy 10.94 (+3.0) ahead of Chelsea Hayes 11.09 who was long jump winner
with 686 (+5.0). Fastest in the 100 m hurdles was Nicole Denby 12.78 (+3.3)
ahead of Candice Davis 12.89 with Donique Flemings posting in college race
12.88 (+2.2). But the sensation happened in women high jump where olympican Amy
Acuff returned with olympic qualifier 195 after break since 2009. Janeil
Belille of Trinidad won the 400 m hurdles (55.91), Slovenian Tina Sutej cleared
455 in the pole vault and LSU posted 42.99 in the 4×100 m. On the men side also
fast and windy 100 m races for Jeff Demps 10.01 (+2.9), Carlin Isles 10.13
(+3.2), Canadian Aaron Brown 10.09 ahead of Cordero Gray also 10.09 (+3.1) and
Marvin Bracy in high school 10.06 (+2.4). Barrett Nugent got 13.37 (+2.9) at
110 m hurdles, whereas Michael Thomas won his race in 13.48 (+1.9) ahead of
decathlon world champion Trey Hardee 13.61 PB and in another one Chris Thomas
13.45 (+1.7) ahead of Jeff Porter 13.59 when indoor world leader Dexter Faulk
false started again. Ameachi Morton won the 400 m hurdles in 49.58 and fast
relays Auburn 38.30 at 4×400 m ahead of Texas AM 38.84. Speed United in another
race with Spearmon, Patton, Briton Edgar and McDaniel achieved 38.64 ahead of
Canada 39.35. In the 4×400 m Central Texas All-Stars clocked 3:01.54 with
Jeremy Wariner anchoring at 44.6 level.

NEW
ESTONIAN 100 M RECORD FOR NIIT

FAYETTEVILLE
(USA, Mar 31): Estonian Marek Niit clocked new Estonian record and fastest by
an European in 2012 at the 100 m 10.19 (+1.5). At Arkansas Spring Invitational
Fernada Blakely achieved solid double 20.55 (+1.2) and 46.10 at 200 and 400 m.
James White cleared 226 in the high jump and Andrew Irwin 560 in the pole
vault.

MANNING
12.68 AT 100 M HURDLES

TUCSON
(USA, Mar 31): Christina Manning improved to great second fastest 100 m hurdles
of the year 12.68 (+0.4) at Jim Click Shootout meet. Second Brianna Rollins
12.78 PB ahead of Queen Harrison 12.79 and Bridgette Owens-Mitchell 12.88.
Mexican Edgar Rivera-Morales cleared 225 in men´s and Brigetta Barrett 194 in
women´s high jump. Devon Hill posted personal best 13.51 (0.0) in men´s 110 m
hurdles.

OTHER TRACK RESULTS

ATLANTA
(USA, Mar 31): Former Kirgizstan athlete Nikita Kirillov who now jumps for USA
and is still a junior improved at Yellow Jacket Invitational to 545 in the
pole vault. To note 2:02.31 by Molly Beckwith in the 800 m and 56.96 at 400 m
hurdles for Nigerian Ajoke Odumosu.

OXFORD
(USA, Mar 31): At Ole Miss Invitational Mike Granger improved at the 100 m to
10.19 (+0.2) ahead of Isiah Young 10.27. Young won the 200 m in 20.49 (+1.4).
Ricky Robertson cleared 226 in the high jump and Alexis Love posted 23.18
(+1.3) in the women 200 m.

FORT
COLLINS (USA, Mar 31): Lance Brooks won the discus here with 63.92 m.

KINGSTON
(JAM, 31): The Jamaican Schools Championships ended with a 22nd team win
for the boys of Calabar High. On the other side the girls of Edwin Allen High
got their first ever win. Last day was marred by strong head-winds. Still
impressive young girls. In class 3 the fastest 200 m time of the day by Shauna
Helps (15) with 24.21 (-3.5). In the class 2 the fastest 400 m by Yanique
McNeil (16) 53.35. Also to note the double for Delano Williams who after 100 m
won also the 200 m of class 1 with 21.18 (-3.3). Stefan Fennell was the best
110 m hurdles junior (13.74, -6.3). Michael O´Haro (15) was impressive 200 m
winner of class 2 with 21.51 (-4.1), Okeen Williams (16) was the best in the
400 m 47.96 and Christophe Bryan (16) achieved meet record 210 in the high
jump.

NAKURU
(KEN, Mar 31): Former world junior champion Viola Kibiwott completed a double
at the third Athletics Kenya/National Bank of Kenya weekend meeting clocking
2:04.7 and 4:15.4 in the 800/1500 m. The country’s leading female
steeplechaser, Milcah Chemos led her team mate Lydia Chepkurui to take the
second and third position in a time of 4:20.0 and 4:21.6. Informs The
Nation.

PORT OF
SPAIN (TRI, Mar 31): Eric Alejandro of Puerto Rico got the line ahead of the
2010 World Junior Champion Jehue Gordon at 400 m hurdles during 1st day of
Falcon Games in 50.79 to 51.13. Moriba Morain took the men’s 200 in 20.81
life-time best. In the junior race impressive 20.92 (+1.4) Jereem Richards who
is scheduled to compete at Carifta Games next weekend.

SYDNEY
(AUS, Mar 31-Apr 1): At New South Wales Championships Joshua Ross clocked 10.41
(-0.4) in the 100 m, Tristan Thomas posted 50.27 in the 400 m hurdles and world
champion Dani Samuels got 61.06 in the discus. In the junior decathlon new
Oceanian junior record 7886 points for Jake Stein.

SAO
PAULO (BRA, Mar 31): New sensation of Brazilian men´s triple jump is Jonathan
Silva (20) with 17.39 (+1.8) improvement at another local meet. His previous
best was 16.70. Guilherme Cobbo achieved life-time best 224 in the high jump.
Solid also the 45.78 for Anderson Henriques in the 400 m.

LEIRIA
(POR, Mar 31): Ines Henriques won the national walking meet on the track with
44:57.69 in the 10 000 m.

OTHER NEWS

LONDON
(GBR): The first public event in London’s Olympic Stadium offered 5000 runners
the opportunity to experience a glimpse of what it might be like to
compete here in earnest this summer as they took part in the National Lottery
Olympic Park Run. More than 40 000 entered the ballot for places on the
five-mile route which took them around many of the soon-to-be iconic venues of
London 2012. The field had its quota of sporting figures and celebrities,
including Alec Stewart the cricketer, champion javelin throwers Fatima
Whitbread and Steve Backley, athlete Roger Black, Paralympian Danny Crates,
model Katie Price and her son Harvey. The event was set in motion by Princess
Beatrice a previous London Marathon runner, who then turned herself into a runner
before heading for the podium, where she was scheduled to do the honours with
the medals. Tommy Davies, a 26-year-old from Loughborough, was the first
runner across the Olympic finish line in a time of 25:11.

CORRECTION

PRAGUE
(CZE): The winning mark of Joyce Chepkirui 1:07:03 was not a world leader,
but a third best mark of 2012.