William Kiplagat (© Getty Images)
AmsterdamIt was a happy day for the ING Amsterdam marathon. In the 28th edition of the event the Dutch capital got not only a new course record by William Kipsang's winning time of 2:06:39 but also a new Dutch men’s record on the marathon. On the eve of his 32nd birthday Kamiel Maase finished sixth in 2:08:31 bettering the old record, set by now national coach Gerard Nijboer 23 years ago. The women’s race was won by Elena Sampaio of Portugal in a personal best of 2:28:06.
In nearly ideal weather conditions, temperature 10-12 degrees, sunny and almost no wind the race got off a not too fast start as plan was to reach the half way mark in 1:04:00. A group of ten: William Kipsang, Felix Limo, last year winner Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei, William Kiplagat, Robert Cheruiyot, Thomas Chimitei, Moses Tanui (all Kenya), Kamiel Maase, Tadesse Hailemariam (Eth) and Ismail Sghyr (Fra) were led by four pacemakers, Robert Cheboror, Jason Mbote, Perter Kiprotich (all Ken) and Dutchmen Marco Gielen. They passed the 5 km point in 15:05 and then returned after seven kilometres to the Olympic Stadium were they had started. After a lap on the track they headed for the reminder of the race on a part of the 1928 Olympic course in the direction of Ouderkerk along the river Amstel. The pacemaker were doing their work perfectly, passing 10 km in 30:30, 15 km in 45:22 and half way in a nearly ideal 1:03:57.
The leading group stayed together till 25 km (1:30:30) but then broke after three of the four ‘’rabbits” had left the race. Only Robert Cheboror went on pace making. The Kenyan was doing a lot of work but went on to finish. Just after the 30 km point the pace went up by the pressure of Felix Limo, running his first marathon, and Kipsang. Limo however could not follow his countrymen and at 35 km Kipsang, who finished 12th in the Paris marathon in April (2:12:34) was alone. He passed 35 km in 1:45:09, eight seconds ahead op Limo. Kipsang went on in a ver effective style and at 40 km he was with 2:00:04, seventeen seconds ahead of his last opponent while the others were a minute or more back.
Kipsang finally broke the tape in the Olympic stadium in 2:06:39 the 14th fastest time of the 2003. Limo came back strong in the last two kilometres and finished three seconds behind in second. Exactly one minute after Kipsang, Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei finished third. After the race the 2002 winner said: “I wanted to repeat my win of last year but Kipsang and Limo were too strong. And then talking with Dutchman Maase: “I thought the race had not yet begun as you were still with us. Congratulations with your national record.” Felix Limo was very happy with his performance: “This was a fantastic marathon with a nice course. I hope to come back.” Kipsang was a shy winner saying only he was very happy. Race director Jos Hermens added: “It takes time to get used to be a winner.”
In the women’s race Elena Sampaio took the pack around the 40 kilometres point. From the beginning Kenyan Margaret Atoondyang was leading but between 30 and 35 kilometres she could not hold her leading position. She was passed by Sampaio and Caroline Kwambai (Ken) and finally finished third. Sampaio setting a personal best of 2:28:06, 41 seconds ahead of Kwambai, wh was running her first marathon.
Results
1. William Kipsang (Ken) 2.06.39 CR (old 2.06.47 Fred Kiprop (Ken) Oct 17th 99)
2. Felix Limo (Ken) 2.06.42
3. Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei (Ken) 2.07.39
4. William Kiplagat (Ken) 2.07.51
5. Robert Cheruiyot (Ken) 2..08.13
6.Kamiel Maase (Ned) 2.08.31 NR (old Gerard Nijboer 2.09.01 1980)
7. Tadesse Hailemariam (Eth) 2.09.34
8. Thomas Chemitei (Ken) 2.10.26
9. Robert Cheboror (Ken) 2.11.06
10. Ismail Sghyr (Fra) 2.11.27
11. Moses Tanui (Ken) 2.12.24
12. Rik Ceulemans (Bel) 2.13.42
Women
1. Elena Sampaio (Por) 2.28.06
2. Caroline Kwambai (Ken) 2.28.47
3. Margaret Atonondyang (Ken) 2.29.20
4. Beata Rackonzai (Hun) 2.29.54
5. Anne van schuppen (Ned) 2.38.15
Wim van Hemert for the IAAF
