Kenyans dominate marathon

Kenyan Shadrack Kemboi romped to victory in the men’s Cape Town Marathon on Sunday.

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Cape Town – Kenyan Shadrack Kemboi won the men’s 42.2km Cape Town in 2 hours 11 minutes and 39 seconds here on Sunday morning.

Starting in cool overcast conditions, Kemboi broke away from the lead group of five with less than 10km to the finish. The former Gauteng (2012) and Soweto (2013) marathons champion was able to hold his position to the end at Green Point Stadium with local Lungile Gongqa attempting to close the gap.

Gongqa was forced to settle for second in a time of 2:11:55, while fellow South African Michael Mazibuko claimed third in 2:12.26.

Kemboi said he was feeling good in the final third of the race and was able to increase his pace.

“It was very windy but I felt strong at 32km so I decided to go for it,” said Kemboi afterwards.

“It’s a really nice race and I like hospitality.”

Gongqa, meanwhile, was pleased with his efforts.

“The conditions were great. I told myself I wanted to run 3:10 per kilometre, so I’m happy with my race,” said Gongqa.

South Africa’s Lucky Mohale had led the men’s field at the 25km mark as he took the lead group through in 1:19:04, but the surge of the Kenyans in the final stages of the race extinguished any hopes of a South African victory.

In the women’s race, Kenyan Isabella Ochichi smashed the women’s record in the race to cross the line first in a time of 2:30:20 – improving her personal best by 18 seconds.

Ochichi’s time was also the fastest marathon by a woman on South African soil in 25 years.

“The marathon was good, the conditions were great. I expected to run my personal best,” said Ochichi after her race.

“I’m going to celebrate with my friends now and keep getting better.”

Despite running such a good time, Ochichi had criticism of the course.

“It’s a nice course but there are too many corners. The first half is flat, but the second half is quite tough. This was my third marathon and I’m getting used to it.”

Fellow Kenyan Eunice Chumba was runner-up in 2:33:09, while Joan Rotich also of Kenya completed the podium positions with third in a time of 2:37:42.

Lebo Phalula was the first South African women home in fifth place in a time of 2:38:56 and celebrated with her sister Lebogang at the finish. Lebogang had earlier won the women’s 10km race in 34:12.

“It was my first marathon so I did not know what to expect,” said Phalula afterwards.

“Marathons are not for sissies. I learned a lot from this race.”

In the men’s veteran (40-plus age group) race, South Africa’s Hendrick Ramaala’s romped home first in 2:17:14. Ramaala, 43, was eighth place overall and his time was a new SA veteran’s record. His feat beat out the old record of 2:17:40 held for 27 years by Paulus Masilela.

“The race was very good. I just lost it after 25 but then I regrouped. I had fun,” said Ramaala after his race.

“I ran out of energy and I kept strong I passed a lot of guys, I wanted to win overall.”

– ANA