Kenya's Hillary Kiptanui won the Palermo City Marathon today, clocking 2:14:15. Kiptanui made his debut over the 42.195km distance in this Sicilian city, and quickly learned that tactics are a critical tool of the marathon. Given the hilly two-lap course, he started very fast, reaching the half in a notable 1:04:51, well ahead of David Kemboi's (2:10:36, 1999) course record pace.
However, in the race's second half he struggled, beginning at the 37 km point where the course follows a one kilometer uphill stretch towards the wonderful Normanni Palace. Despite running the final five kilometers at about 3:30/kilometre pace, he still finished more that 13 minutes ahead of his nearest rival.
Alberto Zorzi for the IAAF
