KUALA LUMPUR: As expected, Kenyan runners ruled the 2017 Standard Chartered KL Marathon, especially in the men's and women's open full marathon (42 kilometre) categories.
In the event which started and ended at Dataran Merdeka here today, Kenyan runners dominated the top 10 places in the men's category, while the women's category was ruled by seven Kenyans and three Ethiopians.
Cosmas Matolo Muteti clocked 2 hours 18 minutes and 43 seconds to beat compatriot and defending champion Kennedy Lilan and Tonui Kiprop, who finished second and third respectively, with times of 2''19:35s and 2''20:38s.
For his feat, Muteti pocketed US$17,500 (about RM75,700), while Lilan walked away with US$7,500 (about RM32,432) and Kiprop had to be content with US$5,000 (about RM21,621).
"I did not dominate the race from start. I just ran behind the leading pace and I didn't push forward, but I realised that I could win when there was 5km remaining before finish. We were running at a pace of about 22km per hour.
"Towards the finishing line, I pushed hard to win. The race was tough, especially with the hot and humid weather, unlike last month when I took part in the Perlis Marathon," said 26-year-old Muteti when met after the prize presentation.
The win was his second successive feat in Malaysia after triumphing at the Perlis Marathon on April 30.
"I managed to better my time here (in KL). In the Perlis Marathon, I clocked two hours and 24 minutes," said Muteti, adding that his previous personal best was two hours 22 minutes.
In the women's category, Kenya's Elizaberth Chepkanan reached the finish line with a time of 2''36:14s to beat another Kenyan, Vicoty Chepkemoi, who clocked 2''40:08s, while Ethiopia's Zeritu Begashaw Wakijira finished third on 2''42:56s.
They were awarded the same prize money as the men.
For the closed full marathon (Malaysian Men's and Women's categories), the winners were Muhaizar Mohamad and Yuan Yufang.
More than 35,000 runners took part in the event which featured six race distances – Kids Dash (3km and 1km), 5km, 10km, Half Marathon and Full Marathon.
RESULTS
Full Marathon Men's Open:
1. Cosmas Matolo Muteti (KENYA) - 2''18:43s
2. Kennedy Lilan (KENYA) - 2''19:35s
3. Tonui Kiprop (KENYA) - 2''20:38s
Full Marathon Women's Open:
1. Elizaberth Chepkanan (KENYA) - 2''36:14s
2. Vicoty Chepkemoi (KENYA) - 2''40:08s
3. Zeritu Begashaw Wakijira (ETHIOPIA) - 2''42:56s
Full Marathon Malaysian Men:
1. Muhaizar Mohamad - 2''36:14s
2. Tan Huong Leong - 2''40:08s
3. Ow Yong Jin Kuang - 2''42:56s
Full Marathon Malaysian Women:
1. Yuan Yufang - 3''23:00s
2. Loh Chooi Fern - 3''25:54s
3. Chua Kit Yeng - 3''33:46s – -BERNAMA