Singapore - “Home town boy” John Kelai of Kenya won today’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Kelai has been living on and off in Singapore for the last 18 months since coming to the city-state to make his marathon debut - he was seventh in last year's race (2.23.46).

The much-vaunted Tanzanians - 2002 Commonwealth winner, Francis Naali, and 1998 medallists, Simon Mrashani and Geway Suja - were never in evidence, after complaining of difficulties adjusting to time difference and Singapore's high humidity which affects times.

Kelai tracked several of his Kenyan compatriots, who were early leaders in the race which was run at dawn, before taking over after 37 kilometres, and winning by 180 metres in 2:19:02 from David Simukwo, 2.19.28, and Barnabas Kenduiywo, 2.20.35.

“At 32 kilometres, I felt so bad that I almost dropped out,”said Kelai, 26, “but I saw the leaders were struggling. At 35k I felt OK, and put in an effort to catch them. I was a bit nervous of my Kenyan friends, but it was an advantage to me to know the course so well.”

Kelai who has a solid training base in Singapore with a triathlon group, and he recently placed fourth in a high class duathlon (cycling and running), dedicated the victory to his month old daughter, Karina. He has another daughter, Faith, aged three. Kelai said he would use the US$20,000 prize money, "for the education of my children, and to improve my living conditions in Kenya". He was formerly a farm-worker in Eldoret, the heartland of Kenyan distance running.
      
Wang Yu of China was unconcerned in the women's race. The 19 year old from Beijing led all the way in only her third marathon, to win in 2.43.51. The Poles, Aniela Nikiel and Violeta Uryga were second and third, in 2.46.48 and 2.47.55 respectively.

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2003

Results
Men
1 John Kelai Kenya 2.19.02 
2 David Simukwo Ken 2.19.28
3 Barnabas Kenduiywo (Ken) 2.20.35  

Women
1 Wang Yu China 2.43.57
2 Aniela Nikiel Pol 2.46.48
3 Violeta Uryga Pol 2.47.55