MAKAU 2:06:08 AND SUPERB DEBUT BY MELKAMU

FRANKFURT (GER, Oct 28): World record holder Patrick Makau won the 31st BMW Frankfurt Marathon on a cool bright morning in German’s financial centre. But the manner of his victory, in 2:06:08, was far from expected. On a clear, sunny morning, but with temperatures struggling to reach 2C (35F) by the midday finish, Makau never looked comfortable at the back of a leading group of a dozen. As that group diminished with successive surges, Makau dropped off the back several times, only to fight back into contention. But when Deressa Chimsa of Ethiopia shot away from the final quintet at 34k, leaving Makau 50 meters in arrears, another victory in Germany for the Kenyan looked a distant dream. But Makau isn’t world record holder for nothing. He gradually reeled in the Ethiopian, took the lead at 39k, and opened up a winning margin close to three-quarters of a minute, coming home to the traditional, if unusual finish, on the red carpet, greeted by fireworks, cheerleaders and ear-splitting music inside Frankfurt’s old Festhalle. Second Ethiopian Chimsa 2:06:52 ahead of former winner here Gilbert Kirwa 2:07:35, fourth another Kenyan Peter Some in lifetime best 2:08:29. Best European was German Soren Kah in 2:13:57 PB as 16th. In contrast, the leading women always looked well on the way to a new course record, as indeed proved the case. At 15k, defending champion and record holder (2.21.59), Mamitu Daska of Ethiopia was heading a group of five, including her debutante colleague, Meselech Melkamu, another Ethiopian, Bezunesh Bekele, and two Kenyans, Georgina Rono and Agnes Barsosio. Bekele was the first to drop, at 30k, but she hung in and eventually passed Barsosio to finish fourth. But when Melkamu made her effort at 37k, the remaining trio split up, and Melkamu, not only running her first marathon, but her first race over 10k, went away to an impressive debut victory, in 2:21:01, taking close to a minute off Daska’s record from last year. In chasing Melkamu, Rono outdistanced Daska, and was a clear second in 2:21:39, also under the course record; with the defending champion well-beaten in third place, in 2:23:58. Fifth Agnes Barsosio of Kenya improved to 2:24:27 and former olympic steeple finalist Zemzem Ahmed debuted as 6th in 2:27:16. Best European Iwona Lewandowska from Poland was 7th in 2:28:36, also PB. Informs Pat Butcher (also on globerunner.org).

MOKOKA AND PAVEY

PORTSMOUTH (GBR, Oct 28): South African Stephen Mokoka and Jo Pavey produced very contrasting performances in their respective victories at the Bupa Great South Run – an IAAF Gold Label 10 miles Race. Mokoka on a damp English morning toyed with the opposition from start to finish before sprinting ahead of Ayad Lamdassem (46:44) and olympic medalist Tariku Bekele (46:45) with just under 250 meters remaining to win the men’s race in 46:40. Italian Daniele Meucci was 4th (46:50) ahead of best Briton Andrew Lemoncello (47:08) and marathon world champion Abel Kirui (47:12). Pavey regaining the title she claimed in her first major international road race six years hammered her rivals when hitting the front from the beginning, took a runaway success ahead of Jess Coulson (53:43) and Berhane Adere (53:55) in 53:01. Mass contest had a record 25 000 entries. „I just thought I would go off at a reasonable pace and plug away” said Pavey who was surprised she went unchallenged but delighted with her form before competing in next month’s Yokohama Marathon. „I tried not to take off too quickly. Informs David Martin.

OTHER MARATHONS

LJUBLJANA (SLO, Oct 28): Ethiopian marathon world junior best holder Berhanu Shiferaw won the 17th Ljubljana Marathon in fast 2:09:40. His world mark is 2:08:51 from September race in China (Taiyuan). In total more than 11 000 runners participated on Sunday in different races. Second another Ethipian Birhanu Gebru 2:11:20 and third Daniel Chepyegon from Uganda 2:11:49. Best non-African was Slovenian Anton Kosmac as 9th (2:23:09). Werknesh Tola registered also women Ethiopian win in 2:30:45 ahead of Kenyan Ruth Wanjiru 2:34:37 and Aberash Nesga 2:35:50. Best Slovenian Neza Mravlje 2:44:40 was 6th, ahead of her best European Russian Tatyana Vilisova as 5th (2:40:01).

VENICE (ITA, Oct 28): Kenyan Philemon Kisang won the 27th Venice Marathon in bad weather (rain, high water in Piazza San Marco) with 2:17:00. Second Titus Masai 2:18:20. Ethiopians dominated in the women category. Emebet Bedada achieved 2:38:11 clearly ahead of Halima Hasen 2:48:31. In total 8000 runners were registered.

NAIROBI (KEN, Oct 28): Wesley Kibet emerged the winner of the 10th edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon in the men’s category in 2:10:40, new course record. Salome Biwott was the best in women category with 2:26:41. Abraham Keter (2:10:50) finished second and Moses Kigen who was the Marathon winner in 2009 came in third (2:11:05) in the men’s category. In the women race, Alice Chelagat (2:28:04) and Mercy Chemutai (2:31:30) finished
second and third respectively. Pasalia Chepkorir 1:08:12 and Matthew Kiprotich 1:02:19 won the half-marathon. East Standard informs that the Marathon held on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium attracted Sh1.5m for the full marathon, Sh150,000 for the half Marathon. 19,000 athletes from 70 nations competed in the contest in the various categories thus exceeding the 17 000 who took part in the race last year. Informs East Standard. The organizers expect to raise Sh19million for Seeing is Believing project that seeks to end avoidable blindness in Kenya while working with local hospitals. Already over 800 children have had their eyes restored since the marathon started in 2003.

PODGORICA (MNE, Oct 28): Kenyan Elisha Sawe won the 19th Podgorica Marathon in 2:19:22. Serbian distance star Olivera Jevtic won the women race for third time after 2008 and 2009 in 2:37:58. She achieved also Moscow World Championships standard. Second Ana Subotic was timed with 2:42:36 and third Sladjana Perunovic of Montenegro 2:48:42.

CHUNCHEON (KOR, Oct 28): IAAF informs that Kenyan David Kemboi Kiyeng won the Chosunilbo Chuncheon International Marathon clocking 2:10:05. His compatriot Nickson Kurgat was second in 2:10:39 and third Ethiopian Negari Terfa 2:11:45. More than 19,500 runners from 32 countries, including almost 300 foreigners took part. The women’s race, with a domestic elite field only, was won by You-Jin Park in 2:41:55.

TOULOUSE (FRA, Oct 28): Kenyan Benjamin Bitok clocked 2:12:33 to win for fourth time the Toulouse Marathon (its 6th edition in difficult weather conditions). Second Ethiopian Hailemariam Atseba 2:14:13 and third Kenyan Vincent Kipchirchir 2:16:59. Best home runner Cedric Pelissier was fifth in 2:19:26. Ukrainian Nataliya Lehonkova was top woman and prevailed over Africans in 2:38:22. Second Tigist Memuye of Ethiopia 2:41:20 and third Russian Yekaterina Fateyeva 2:45:21.

PORTO (POR, Oct 28): Kenyan sub 2:10 runner Anthony Wairuri won the 9th Porto Marathon in 2:12:14. Second Ethiopian Tesfaye Beyene 2:14:38. But in women category Ethiopian win for Abeba Gebremeskel with 2:39:51.

LAUSANNE (SUI, Oct 28): In the 20th Lausanne marathon in winter conditions no male runner went under 2:30 but Laura Hrebec as top woman clocked Moscow World Championships standard 2:41:37. Evans Chelanga won the half marathon in 1:04:46 and Tolossa Chengere the 10 km in 29:39.

WASHINGTON (USA, Oct 28): Washington Post writes that former University of Alabama track star Augustus Maiyo used a strong final half race to post a 2:20:17 and capture the 37th annual Marine Corps Marathon. Ethiopian native Hirut Guangul was the first female runner to cross the finish line, marking a 2:42:06.

AUCKLAND (NZL, Oct 28): Australian Rowan Walker won the Auckland Marathon in 2:24:06. Alex Williams as top woman got also the New Zealand national title in 2:41:28. Male champion Tony Payne clocked 2:31:07 as third.

OTHER RESULTS

MARSEILLE (FRA, Oct 28): In cold and windy weather Kenyan wins at the 34th Marseille-Cassis road race (this year at exactly 20 km). Edwin Kipyego clocked 58:16 ahead of Philemon Yator 58:43 and Pius Kirop 58:59. Ezekiel Nizigiymana from Burundi was best non-Kenyan as 6th (59:17). Eddy Bouazzaoui was top French runner in 1:04:42 as 15th. Also women podium was filled by Kenyan athletes. Mercy Kibarus 1:07:58 over Cynthia Jerotich 1:08:14 and Gladys Kipsoi 1:08:37. Best French Alexandra Louison was 6th in 1:13:56.

TOKYO (JPN, Oct 28): Wacoal won the west Japan Corporate team women’s Ekiden in 2:17:38 ahead of Daihatsu 2:18:43 and Sysmex 2:19:23. In different stages Kenyan Sally Chepyego was the best in the second at 3.5 km (10:51), at 3rd stage (10.2) Kayoko Fukushi recorded 32:11 ahead of Mizuki Noguchi 33:03.

IMOLA (ITA, Oct 28): Kenyan winners at the Gire Tre Monti in Imola at 15.3 km. Hosea Kisorio 47:21 and Helen Jepkurgat 52:25.

MADRID (ESP, Oct 28): Former steeple world champion Marta Dominguez won the Divina Pastora series race at 10 km here with 35:36. Male winner David Solis clocked 30:16.

RIBEIRAO PRETO (BRA, Oct 28): Giovani dos Santos won the 23rd leg of domestic road race circuit with 31:07 at 10 km. Ethiopian Meseret Legese was the top woman in 36:18 ahead of Kenyan Edna Mukwana 37:42. Best home runner Marily dos Santos was fourth (38:30).

ELCHE (ESP, Oct 27): 7th road mile winners were Abdelhak Moulay 4:28 and Laure Mendez 5:07.

GLARUS (SUI, Oct 27): Swiss former olympic finalist Sabine Fischer won here the 28th City Run in 15:42 at the 4.72 km. Bruno Albuquerque of Portugal was the top male runner in 23:03.

ROSTOCK (GER, Oct 27): Rostock team won the 7th Teamcross event which started the German CC season. They clocked at 18 km 50:34 and that was new course record. Second team from Lower Saxony 51:03 and third Kiel 52:56.

BRISTOL (GBR, Oct 28): The McCain Bristol Cross Challenge started the 2012 McCain UK Cross Challenge Series at Ashton Court. Senior women victory for Caryl Jones at 6.34 km in 25:58 ahead of Hannah Brooks 26:14 and Sarah Treacy 26:25. Men 8.29 km ešnded with win for Dewi Griffiths 29:44 ahead of Biniam Ande 29:53 and Frank Tickner also 29:53.

ASCOLI PICENO (ITA, Oct 28): Vito Di Bari won the 10 km race during last leg of national Walking Grand Prix in 41:10. Second London Olympian Marco De Luca got 42:04 and third Massimo Stano 42:22 with junior Vito Minei 43:03 as fourth. Women winner Antonella Palmisano achieved 46:14.

TRACK RESULTS

LUCKNOW (IND, Oct 27-28): The opening day of 28th National Junior Championships in India virtually belongs to javelin throwers as they dominated the scene at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College grounds here with three national records. Rajendra Kumar Bind in fourth throw achieved a massive 80.14 m that improved his national junior mark of 74.75. He came close also to national senior mark which is 80.72 m. During second day Satish Kumar Patel improved the national mark in 10 000 m walk to 41:29.85. Informs Murali Krishnan.

MENDOZA (ARG, Oct 26-27): South American Youth championships were highlighted by new continental U17 record in hammer (5 kg) by Argentinian Joaquin Gomez 81.15 m.

STATS

FRANKFURT (GER): Meselech Melkamu ran third fastest debut marathon (2:21:01), behind Radcliffe (2:18:56) and Lucy Kabuu (2:19:34). Florence Kiplagat DNF in 2011 Boston before winning 2011 Berlin with 2:19:44. The course record (2:21:01) for Frankfurt marathon is now 10th fastest in the world. It is also 4th straight year of sub-2:07 for Makau, Haile Gebrselassie has recorded six straight years (2005 to 2010) of sub-2:07 marathons. Makau improved his marathon top 5 average to 2:05:05, but he is still third behind Geoffrey Mutai and „Haile”. Top 10 average of Frankfurt marathon men has improved to 2:05:43, but it is still 7th fastest.