Kenyans lead clean sweeps at the Chicago marathon

Abel Kirui celebrates winning the men's marathon at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, September 4, 2011. REUTERS

Two-time World Marathon champion Abel Kirui is this year’s Chicago Marathon winner, crossing the line in a time of 2:11:23.

Kirui was the Berlin 2009 and Daegu 2011 gold medalist.

The 34 year old led a Kenyan clean sweep of 1-2-3-4-5 to the finish line, probably announcing his return to form after four injury plagued seasons since he won silver at the London 2012 Olympics.

“I was putting in my prayers and efforts in winning today. I had a very strong mind, this time I knew it was a matter of life and death. The course favoured me and I was lucky that the weather was not so humid,” said the jubilant Kirui.

Kirui said that he now has his eyes set on winning in London next year.

“I was praying so hard that I get something here so that I request my manager to give me the three guys; Eliud (Kipchoge), Bekele (Kenisa) and Wilson Kipsang,” said Kirui after his triumph.

Dickson Chumba, who went into the race as the defending champion, was dethroned and came in second in a time of 2:11:26 despite displaying a spirited fight to retain the crown in the 42 kilometer race.

At some point, it appeared like the 29 year old’s dream would come true when he put Kirui to the task in the last final kilometer, but Kirui managed to pull away and held on to the finish line, capping his win with a majestic dance.

Gideon Kipketer came in third with a time of 2:12:20 seconds ahead of compatriot Paul Lonyangata who registered a time of 2:13:17.

Lonyangata had earlier in the race attempted to pull away at the 25 kilometer mark, but his efforts summed up a little more like pacesetting as he failed to shake off the chasing pack.

Lonyangata, 24, eventually gave up the fight with a few miles to the 40 kilometer mark and never recovered.

Compatriot Stephen Sambu stretched home behind him with a time of 2:13:35.

On the women side, Florence Kiplagat proved her prowess and defended her crown, the second woman to do so in the competition, coming home in a time of 2:21:32.

Kiplagat replicated her male compatriots by leading a 1-2-3-4 sweep for the ladies.

Edna Kiplagat came in second with a time of 2:23:28 followed closely by Valentine Kipketer who clocked 2:23:41.

Purity Rionoripo wrapped up the Kenyan sweep by hitting the crossing line at 2:24:47.

Top Ten Finishes at the Chicago Marathon

Men

1. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:11:23

2. Chumba, Dickson (KEN) 2:11:26

3. Kipketer, Gideon (KEN) 2:12:20

4. Lonyangata, Paul (KEN) 2:13:17

5. Sambu, Stephen (KEN) 2:13:35

6. Ayele, Abayneh (ETH) 2:13:52

7. Fukatsu, Takuya (JPN) 2:13:53

8. Estrada, Diego (USA) 2:13:56

9. Gokaya, Koji (JPN) 2:14:34

10. Kibet, Elkanah (USA) 2:16:37

Women

1. Florence Kiplagat (KEN) 02:21:32

2. Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 02:23:28

3. Valentine Kipketer (KEN) 02:23:41

4. Purity Rionoripo (KEN) 02:24:47

5. Yebrgual Melese (ETH) 02:24:49

6. Atsede Baysa (ETH) 02:28:53

7. Serena Burla (USA) 02:30:40

8. Agnieszka Mierzejewska (POL) 2:32:13

9. Sarah Crouch (USA) 2:33:48

10. Alia Gray (USA) 2:34:00

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