Italy's Ottaviano Andriani won the 8th "Maratona d'Europa" in Trieste yesterday (6) and will probably run in the World Championships in Osaka. Andriani closed out in a time of 2:10:57, just 9 seconds slower than 2:10:48 race best time set by Migidio Bourifa in 2005 on a different course.
33-year-old Italian ran a smart race. In the first half (1:05:39 the split) he stayed always in the back of the leading pack. The new course has a very tough beginning, with first 5km uphill, so it was important to run relaxed. At 28km Kenya's Joseph Nguran made a very strong move, with a km split of 2:51. Andriani kept his own pace along with other Kenya's Noah Serem Kiplagat and 2006 champion Ben Chebet Kipruto.
Nguran reached an advantage of 20 seconds, but at 36km it had reduced to 15 seconds. At 38km Andriani changed pace and caught the leader in a little more than 1km. The Kenyan was clearly slowing down and Andriani dropped him immediately.
"I had planned the race exactly as I ran it," the winner said. "I remained covered in the first part and when the Kenyan attacked, I hoped he would pay in the final stretch such a too strong effort. So he did." After crossing the finish line, he dedicated the win to his twin brother Antonio, who died 13 years ago, and to Italian policeman Filippo Raciti, who was killed by hooligans three months ago after soccer match Catania-Palermo.
Nguran was able to defend the 2nd place (2:11:28 his time), while Serem closed in 3rd with 2:11:35. Chebet was far in 5th place.
Italian marathon coach Luciano Gigliotti was on the finish line and confirmed that Andriani would be considered for the team in Osaka. "For the moment I want just to think about this win and have some rest," Andriani replied. "Then I will decide if he will be running the Worlds."
Kenya's Anne Kosgei won among the women with 2:33:14 after a solo run. "I had trained well in Eldoret, I'm satisfied even if I had hoped to run faster," the 27-year-old Kosgei said after the race.
Alberto Zorzi for the IAAF
Selected results (42.195km)
Men's race
1. Ottaviano Andriani, ITA, 2:10:57
2. Joseph Nguran, KEN, 2:11:28
3. Noah Serem Kiplagat, KEN, 2:11:35
4. Hosea Kimutai Kiptanui, KEN, 2:12:05
5. Ben Chebet Kipruto, KEN, 2:16:47
6. Frimin Kipchoge Kiplagat, KEN, 2:16:55
7. Amos Masai, KEN, 2:16:58
Women's race
1. Anne Kosgei, KEN, 2:33:14
2. Maria Cocchetti, ITA, 2:42:11
