Kipserem, Chemosin, Kipruto in marathon victories

Kenyans and Ethiopians shared the honours in Sunday’s spring city marathons of Rotterdam, Vienna City and Rome.

Marius Kipserem pulled away from debutant Ethiopia’s Solomon Deksisa over the final two kilometres to win the men’s Rotterdam Marathon in 2:06:10 for biggest career victory as Geoffrey Kirui finished third.

Robert Chemosin led the Kenyan 1-2-3 in the men’s race of the Vienna City Marathon in 2:09:48 as Charles Cheruiyot (2:10:09) and former 1500m runner, Suleiman Simotwo (2:10:15) completed Kenyan podium sweep.

In the corresponding women’s race, Shuko Genemo (2:24:31) and Ruti Aga (2:25:27) made the Ethiopian 1-2.

At the Eternal City, debutant Amos Kipruto wins the men’s race of Rome Marathon in 2:08:12.

Kipruto broke from a seven-man pack after 35 kilometres to finish more than a minute ahead of Ethiopian Birhanu Addisie Achamie, who reached the line in 2:09:27. Kenyan Dominic Ruto was third, another second back.

Largely unheralded, Kipruto arrived in Rome with a 1:01:02 personal best in the half marathon, but more recently confirmed his form in January’s Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon where he paced the leaders through 30 kilometres in 1:27:30.

The native of Kapsabet, who is trained by Italian coach Claudio Berardelli, began running seriously in 2013 and makes it two victories in the spring season for the former Rosa Associati trainer after Cyprian Kotut won in Paris last weekend.

Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:28:49. Mulu Diro Melka, also from Ethiopia, was second clocking 2:29:59.

-More to follow