Pune Marathon winner Philip Makau Muia (© organisers)
Pune, IndiaKenya regained the Pune International Marathon title through the efforts of Philip Makau Muia who beat an elite field of 72 runners from 14 nations today (2).
After four consecutive victories on this historic city between 2002 and 2005, last year Said Regraugui had halted the Kenyan domination with a time of 2:18:23.
John Mutai, the winner of this year’s Belfast marathon and familiar among the Indian fans, took his compatriots Eston Nyaga and Muia into the lead, while Tanzania’s Oswald Revellian, second at Pune last year, tried to respond as did local favourite Deep Chand but to no avail. Makau (25), with two back-to-back second places at Sydney in 2006-07, won in a career best time of 2:17:32, and was awarded with a prize purse of 300,000 Indian Rupees for his effort.
An Ethiopian athlete took the women’s Half Marathon crown at Pune. The unheralded Roman Gebregessese won the race in a “photo-finish” from Hellen Musyoka. Musyoka, the defending champion from 2006, had timed 71:30.64 as against the Ethiopian’s 71:30.34.
Jane Muia, the course record-holder at Pune (1:11:59) finished fourth behind compatriot Agnes Katunge.
Ram. Murali Krishnan for the IAAF
Leading Results:
Men (Marathon):
1. Philip Makau Muia KEN 2:17:32
2. Eston Nyaga KEN 2:17:49
3. Oswald Revellian TAN 2:18:20
4. John Mutai KEN 2:19:02
5. Deep Chand IND 2:19:21
Women (Half-Marathon):
1. Roman Gebregessese ETH 1:11:31
2. Hellen Musyoka KEN 1:11:31
3. Agnes Katunge KEN 1:11:40
4. Jane Muia KEN 1:13:14
5. Christine Muyanga KEN 1:13:27
