by Alfonz Juck
Cyprian Kotut, photo by PhotoRun.net
Kotut wins jubilee Paris
PARIS (FRA, Apr 3): Cyprian Kotut broke clear with two kilometres remaining to win the 40th edition of the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon in sunny and cool conditions in a 2:07:11 PB. “I was just a 2:08 guy so I’m surprised to win this race,” said Kotut after the race. Kotut is the younger brother of former London and New York Marathon winner Martin Lel. Kenyans were 1-2-3-4 in the men’s race with Laban Korir (2:07:29), Stephen Chemlany (2:07:37) and Micah Kogo (2:08:03) the next across the line with Ethiopia’s Gebretsadik Abraha, who made a break with four kilometres remaining, fifth in 2:08:18. The top eight finishers broke the 2:10-mark. Visiline Jepkesho made a break with over 10km remaining to make it a Kenyan double in the women’s race in 2:25:53 ahead of Ethiopians Gullume Chala (2:26:14) and Dinknesh Tefera (2:28:12). Top French finishers: Timothee Bommier (2:15:37) and Sarah Klein (2:34:07) in 13th and 7th respectively. Paul Tergat was among the special guests in the French capital. Interestingly 91% humidity at the start.
