Eldoret toasts Kipchoge, Cherono Berlin victories

Eldoret came alive on Sunday as Kenyans reigned supreme at the Berlin Marathon with Eliud Kipchoge and Gladys Cherono playing starring roles at the German capital.

Kipchoge’s wife Grace Sugut led celebrations at the City of Champions as his husband obliterated Dennis Kimetto’s 2:02:57 record to underline his case as the greatest marathon runner of all time.

“Before going to Germany, he promised us as a family that he will be going to win the race and break the record. He has delivered his promise. We are very happy for the performance,” Grace said.

His 2:01:39 winning time shaved a monstrous 1 minute 18 seconds off the Kimetto’s mark that had stood from 2014, with Kipchoge finally filling the missing piece into his incredible resume.

Cherono made it a Kenyan double by winning the women’s race in a course record of 2:18:11. The winner in Berlin in 2015 and 2017, thus successfully defended her title, taking more than a minute off the course record set 13 years ago by Japan’s Mizuki Noguchi.

 

“I lack the words to describe how I feel,” said Kipchoge. “It was really hard but I was truly prepared to run my own race. I had to focus on the work I had put in in Kenya and that is what helped push me. I’m really grateful to my coaching team, my management, the organisation.”

 

Amos Kipruto and former world record holder Wilson Kipsang  finished second and third to give Kenya a clean podium sweep in the men’s race.

“Let me first thank God for giving the opportunity to be position two. It is my second big City marathon and I thank everyone who stood by me am very happy,” Kipruto said.

Fellow athletes had come together to watch Kipchoge in a big screen organized by Uasin Gishu Government together with Chamgei Fm to follow the action live on TV were Geoffrey Kamworor, Moses Tanui, Coach Richard Metto and Abel Kirui.

Representatives of Isuzu EA Ltd said they were proud to be associated with Kipchoge as brand ambassador and Isuzu Dmax (double cabin car) is awaiting Kipchoge as a gift for breaking the word record.

Kericho county governor H. E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony who is also the Chairman of the Sports Committee in the Council of Governors celebrated Kenya’s world beating sporting icons.

“I join fellow Kenyans in congratulating Eliud Kipchoge and Gladys Cherono for gifting Kenya a double victory in the 45th edition of the Berlin Marathon today. Their victories have not only cemented their status as iconic sports personalities globally but have also confirmed Kenya’s place as King in the marathon sport.

“By setting a new world record, Eliud Kipchoge has proven his position as the greatest marathoner of all time and by winning the Berlin Marathon for the third time, Gladys Cherono has sealed her top spot place in Berlin Marathon history. As the Chairman of the Sports Committee in the Council of Governors, I express my pride following their achievement as do Kenyans all over the country who were undoubtedly praying for them. Congratulations once again Eliud and Gladys.” Governor Chepkwony said.

Gladys Cherono defended her title in women’s race by clocking 2:18.11 leading Ethiopian Ruti Aga and Tirunesh Dibaba who clocked 2:18:34 and 2:18:55 respectively.

Selected Results

Top 25 Men’s Results
1 Kipchoge, Eliud (KEN) 2:01:39
2 Kipruto, Amos (KEN) 02:06:23
3 Kipsang, Wilson (KEN) 02:06:48
4 Nakamura, Shogo (JPN) 02:08:16
5 Tadese, Zersenay (ERI) 02:08:46
6 Sato, Yuki (JPN) 02:09:18
7 Tsegay, Okubay (ERI) 02:09:56
8 Uekado, Daisuke (JPN) 02:11:07
9 Canchanya, Wily (PER) 02:12:57
10 van Nunen, Bart (NED) 02:13:09
11 Da Silva, Wellington (BRA) 02:13:43
12 Da Silva Noronha, Vagner (BRA) 02:14:57
13 Cabada, Fernando (USA) 02:15:00
14 van Peborgh, Nick (BEL) 02:15:04
15 De Bock, Thomas (BEL) 02:15:19
16 Murayama, Kenta (JPN) 02:15:37
17 Martin, Brendan (USA) 02:16:26
18 Hicks, Malcolm (NZL) 02:16:28
19 Spence, Julian (AUS) 02:16:39
20 Martelletti, Paul (NZL) 02:17:29
21 Orta, Luis Alberto (VEN) 02:17:48
22 O’Hanlon, Gary (IRL) 02:19:06
23 Devos, Gerd (BEL) 02:19:14
24 Wuve, Berihun (ISR) 02:19:45
25 Threlfall, Brady (AUS) 02:19:53

Top 25 Women
1 Cherono, Gladys (KEN) 02:18:11
2 Aga, Ruti (ETH) 02:18:34
3 Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH) 02:18:55
4 Kiplagat, Edna (KEN) 02:21:18
5 Matsuda, Mizuki (JPN) 02:22:23
6 Tola, Helen (ETH) 02:22:48
7 Maeda, Honami (JPN) 02:25:23
8 Rocha, Carla Salome (POR) 02:25:27
9 Uehara, Miyuki (JPN) 02:25:46
10 Ohara, Rei (JPN) 02:27:29
11 Cliff, Rachel (CAN) 02:28:53
12 Tessier, Lyndsay (CAN) 02:30:47
13 Melchor, Ines (PER) 02:32:09
14 Deelstra, Andrea (NED) 02:32:41
15 Grunnagle, Dawn (USA) 02:34:56
16 Spencer, Emma (USA) 02:37:05
17 Jordan, Cristina (ESP) 02:37:14
18 Montrone, Teresa (ITA) 02:37:35
19 Phillips, Caitlin (USA) 02:37:48
20 Parlov, Matea (CRO) 02:38:05
21 Raby, Arianne (CAN) 02:39:37
22 Watkins, Catherine (CAN) 02:40:11
23 Cadicamo, Alexandra (USA) 02:40:37
24 Sawahata, Tomomi (JPN) 02:40:50

25 Davis, Stephanie (GBR) 02:41:33

Tags:

Eliud Kipchoge Berlin Marathon Wilson Kipsang Amos Kipruto Tirunesh Dibaba Gladys Cherono

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