Cheruiyot rules Frankfurt to seal maiden marathon victory

Olympic and five-time World 5000m champion Vivian ‘Pocket Rocket’ Cheruiyot added the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon to her glittering titles cabinet when she blasted through the German city to win in 2 hours,23 minutes and 35 seconds(Personal Best) on Sunday.

It marked a maiden success for the two-time Olympic silver medalist having made her ultimate distance debut in April this year where she finished fourth in 2:23.50 after smoothly transiting from track to road running.

Cheruiyot had announced her intentions to rack up a fast time but missed the 2:21.01 course record (CR) set by Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu in 2012 as well as the lucrative €30,000 (Ksh 4.1m) CR bonus.

But the 34-year-old will be unbothered having ran a majestic race, dominating from gun to tape in only her second marathon appearance.

In her well calculated race she ran with a huge group of men along her ‘rabbits’, keeping comfortable speed and displaying good running techniques.

Despite the windy conditions, she covered 25km in 1:23.20 with an advantage of about two minutes over the chasing pack. She kept a lead of 2:30 minutes ahead of a group of five, passing 30 km in 1:40:14.

The Kenya Police Service Police officer slowed slightly at 35K with a time of 1:40:14. She maintained her pace and the huge gap to ensure that the Ethiopians led by Arage Yebrgual Melese won’t challenge her for the much desired victory.

Melese settled for second place in 2:24.30 followed closely by comatriot Wondimagegn, Meskerem Assefa in 2:24:38.

Kenyan men humbled 

The Kenyan men were humbled in their race as Shure Kitata lead his compatriots in picking all top three podium places.

Kitata set a personal best (PB) of 2:05.50. Shedding about two minutes from his previous ond of 2:07.28.

Kelkile Gezahegn also lowered his PB with about a minute to settle for second place in 2:06.56. While Fekele Getu was forced to settle for third place after clocking 2:07.47.

Martin Kosgey was the first Kenya accross the finish line at forth place with a time of 2:09.39 as defending champion Mark Korir finished 10th after stoping the timer at 2:12.37.

Half way down the race, Kenyans had a good comand of the race with Vincent Kipsengetich leading the pack of seven follwed by Vincent Kipchumba, Korir Kosgey. They crossed the barrier in 1:02.30 running behind the pace makers.
At 25 km the pace was a bit slower as Korir made it through in 1:14.26 with a possible finish of 2:05.37. Still in a group of seven, among them two pacers.

After the pacemakers had done their work, the defending champion Korir was looking tired as he dropped off to the fourth place.

Fekele took charge of the race putting a pace of 2:51per km as they approached the 30km barrier 1:29.42. The Ethiopians were heading for a clean podium sweep with a possible finish of 2:06.10.

Feleke lost contact at 37km, soon after that Kitata left Gezahegn behind. Kitata opened huge gap as he headed for the top podium place.