Seboka
Negussa Erre of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Agnes Kiprop won the top honours
at the HAJ Hannover Marathon. In sunny conditions rising towards high
temperatures by the end of the race, Seboka broke 2:10 for the second time in his career to win in 2:09:44.
Second place went to the Kenyan Michael Kunyaga who finished in a
manner rarely seen among elite runners: he collapsed a few metres from
the finish but kept going by crawling over the line in 2:10:16, barely holding off his compatriot Duncan Koech in 2:10:19. Kunyaga’s determination was rewarded with a personal best as well as runner-up spot.
The
men’s elite field did not feature any German runners and home hopes
were also dashed for Fate Tola in the women’s race. Last year’s women’s
champion dropped out at 17 kilometres, suffering from a heavy cold and
cough. Victory went to the Kenyan Agnes Kiprop in 2:32:35 with Akmaral Meirman of Kazakhstan finishing a distant second in 2:55:58 and the German runner Aida Stahlhut third in 3:03:13.
The women’s elite field was seriously affected by withdrawals because
of injury and visa problems in the days before the race which included a
group of Ethiopian runners being unable to arrive in Hanover in time.
A
record total of 25,714 runners took part in this year’s HAJ Hannover
Marathon, taking into account the various events held in conjunction
with the main event. The HAJ Hannover Marathon is an IAAF Silver Label
Road Race.
An eight-strong group reached halfway in the men’s
race in 64:12. The pacemakers had fulfilled their task to the letter,
putting the field at this point on target to attack the course record of2:08:32. At this time the favourite Gilbert Kirwa, whose 2:06:14
made him the fastest on the start list, was already a minute off the
pace and dropped out soon after, having encountered early problems.
As
temperatures rose the lead group slackened their pace and the prospect
of attacking the course record slipped out of reach. Shortly after
reaching 30km in 1:31:53,
four runners broke away from the lead group with Duncan Koech leading
from Seboka Erre and Mengistu Gezahagan of Ethiopia and Michael Kunyaga
of Kenya. With 35 kilometres completed Erre made what proved to be a
decisive break.
“I’m so happy to have won my first marathon. The
weather didn’t give me any problems,” said the 29-year-old Ethiopian
and added: “The course is perfect, it’s the best I’ve ever run. Next
year I want to run in Hannover again and run faster!”
In a
greatly reduced women’s elite field the lead was initially shared by
Agnes Kiprop and Fate Tola. They went through 10km in 35:05 but Kiprop
broke away at 15km and Tola dropped out soon after. After going through
halfway in a speedy 1:13:30
Agnes Kiprop ran unchallenged to victory but couldn’t maintain her pace
in the second half. “I’m happy to have won but had foot problems from
29 kilometres and was getting pains and cramps. My pacemaker said to me
that I had to keep going,” explained Kiprop.
Fate Tola was
disappointed that she couldn’t produce her best in front of her home
fans and retain the title. “I went down with a cold and cough before the
race and by 17 kilometres couldn’t go on and had to drop out,” said
Tola and added: “I’ll be back next year and try again.”
Results, Men:
1. Seboka Negussa Erre ETH 2:09:44
2. Michael Kunyuga KEN 2:10:16
3. Duncan Koech KEN 2:10:19
4. Justus Kiprotich KEN 2:11:11
5. Henryk Szost POL 2:13:37
6. Mikhail Krassilov KAZ 2:24:24
Women:
1. Agnes Kiprop KEN 2:32:35
2. Akmaral Meirman KAZ 2:55:58
3. Aida Stahlhut GER 3:03:13
More information about the HAJ Marathon Hannover is available at: www.marathon-hannover.de
Photo credit: www.photorun.net