Kenya's Hillary Kipchumba and Bahrain's Nadia Ejjafini won yesterday (6 Aug) the 33rd edition of Diecimiglia (10 miles) of Garda in Navazzo, a little place near Garda Lake.
Kipchumba, 21, well-known in Italy as a good road race runner, out-sprinted his country-mate Philip Kimutai Sanga. Both of them clocked 49:43, not bad considering the very hilly course to repeat ten times and warm conditions. Pre-race favourite Rodgers Rop lost ground during the 7th lap and closed in 3rd with a time of 50:17.
"It was a good test, even if it was a very hard race," said Rop, who in 2002 became one of the few Boston and New York Marathon winners, but afterwards had a pair of disappointing seasons.
"This year I changed coach and management and I feel very strong again, as I showed in London Marathon." In London he closed 6th with a PB 2:07:34, his next goal will be New York City Marathon. "I will go to New York to win," he said firmly.
Ejjafini, who this year improved very much and won Rome-Ostia half marathon with a PB 1:10:34, ran alone from the first metres. She closed the race (the women ran just 5 laps) with a time of 27:13, 1:13 ahead of last year's Venice Marathon champion Emily Kimuria. Ejjafini is already in Bahrain team for the World Half Marathon Championships, which will be held in Debrecen on 8 October.
Alberto Zorzi for the IAAF
Selected results
Men's race (10 miles)
1. Hillary Kipchumba (KEN) 49:43
2. Philip Kimutai Sanga (KEN) 49:43
3. Rodgers Rop (KEN) 50:17
4. Fabio Mascheroni (ITA) 50:44
5. Davis Cheruiyot (KEN) 51:21
Women's race (5 miles)
1. Nadia Ejjafini (BRN) 27:13
2. Emily Kimuria (KEN) 28:26
3. Selina Chelimo (KEN) 28:56
