William Kipchumba winning in Belgrade (© Belgrade Marathon organisers)
William Kipchumba became the ninth Kenyan winner in the 21 years of the Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon this morning.
But with the temperatures escalating from a perfect 12C with a little drizzle at the start at 10am, to the mid-20s by the end, the pace dropped accordingly, and Kipchumba had to be content with 2:14:03. But he won by over two minutes from colleague, Jonathon Kipsaina, who was second in 2:16:14, with another Kenyan, Victor Robert third in 2:16:47. Nine of the top ten men were Kenyan.
Natalija Chatkina of Belarus was also on a good pace until halfway, but although she too suffered from the rising heat, she ran a personal best by five minutes, winning in 2:46:24. Her pursers were a long way behind. Nilaj Essen of Turkey in second place became Balkan champion in 2:55:47, and Mercy Too of Kenya was third in 2:57:24.
With temperatures rising, rough second half
In the cool conditions at the start, the men’s group went through ten kilometres in just over 30mins, around 2:09 pace, but then pace relented as the temperature rose. By halfway in 1:05:45, Elijah Bitok was alone with the pacemakers, with the group of half dozen some 30sec adrift. But Bitok disintegrated in the second half, and Kipchumba struck out by himself at 35k.
“Although it was quite warm by then, I felt good, and I knew I clould win from there,” said 30 year old Kipchumba. His move broke up the group, and Kipsaina and Robert also ensured their places by following him.
Jevtic takes Half-Marathon
Local hero, Olivera Jevtic prepared for the Olympic marathon in Beijing by winning the half-marathon. Although she suffered similar stomach cramps to the ones which forced her out of the Dubai Marathon in January, she hung on here for a course record of 1:11:41. The men’s race was also a course record, Willy Mwangi of Kenya winning in probably the best performance of the day, 1:02:51.
Kipketer enjoys guest of honour duties
Guest of honour this year was 800 metres world record holder, and three-time world champion, Wilson Kipketer. The Kenyan-born Dane retired in 2005, and has been working as an IAAF ambassador for young athletes. He says that until recently he was running as little as once every two months. But on a recent trip to a training camp in Portugal with some young Danish athletes, he caught the bug again.
“I was running every day, and feel like to want to get back into competition, but not on the track.” Meeting marathon pacemaker, Julius Sugut, who is from his Kenyan hometown of Kapsabet only increased the pressure. “Seeing everyone here makes me want to run even more. But the Marathon is too far, maybe I’ll start with the 5000 metres (fun-run) here next year.”
A Marathon legend was already running the 5k this year. Last time Ron Hill was in Belgrade was in 1962, but he had to drop out of the European Games (as it was then called) Marathon. But he did win the Euro title in Athens 1969, at the start of an annus mirabilis, in which he went on to become first Brit to win Boston (2:10:30) in 1970, then, three months later the Commonwealth title in Edinburgh.
Hill has since become famous for his ‘streak’, ie not missing a day’s training since December 20, 1964! And when he turned 60, he determined to race in 100 countries before he reaches 70, just months away now. “Since I didn’t finish here in 1962, I thought I’d come and run the half-marathon, but I got an injury last week I’ve never had before, I tore a muscle in my thigh. So I decided to just run the 5k."
"Of course it was Yugoslavia in 1962, now it’s Serbia, so that makes 98 countries. Just two to go.”
Pat Butcher for the IAAF
Leading RESULTS:
MEN -
1. William KIPCHUMBA, KEN 2.14.03 €5000
2. Jonathan KIPSAINA, KEN 2.16.14 4000
3. Victor ROBERT, KEN 2.16.47 3000
4. Benjamin TABUT, KEN 2.18.47 2000
5. Veres GERRABZIABHER, ETH 2.19.18 2000
6. Pius MUTUKU, KEN 2.22.22 1000
WOMEN -
1. Natalija CHATKINA, BEL 2.46.24 €5000
2. Nilaj ESSEN, TUR 2.55.47 4000
3. Mercy TOO, KEN 2.57.24 3000
4. Jane KOSGEI, KEN 2.57.46 2000
