The Hindu : Sport : Kenyans run away with glory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 16, 2006
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Sport

Sport

Kenyans run away with glory

Kirti Patil

LEADING THE PACK: Champion Francis Kibiwott flanked by silver medallist Cuthbert Nyasngo (left) and John J. Korir, who bagged the bronze. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI: Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkirui made Kenya proud by winning the $150,000 Hutch Delhi half marathon men's and women's titles respectively at the Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

Kibiwott grabbed the lead early on from defending champion Philip Rugut and ran away with the cash prize of $20,000. He crossed in 1:01.36 minutes to set a new course record by shaving 18 seconds off Rugut's time.

"I started training only in July after an injury. So, this is a fantastic result," said the 28-year-old Kibiwott. "I decided to run as fast as possible after taking over the lead before the five km mark," he added.

He crossed the 15km mark in 42.25 minutes to raise hopes of a sensational finish as Haile Gebrsellasie's World mark of 58.55 seemed within his reach. But he slowed down a bit towards the final stretch of the 21.097km run. Zimbabwe's Cuthbert Nyasngo denied a Kenyan clean sweep by finishing second with a time of 1:02.30. John J. Korir came third at 1:03.16. As much as seven Kenyans figured in the top 10.

Strategy pays off

In the women's section, Lineth Chepkirui strategically held herself back allowing Erkesso Teriba of Ethiopia and Dire Tune of Kenya to set the pace. Defending champion Irina Timofeyeva was in the leading pack for the first five km before the African runners broke away.

Once Lineth took the lead after the 15km mark, Erkesso had a resigned look on her face. She collapsed after completing the race and was carried off for medical assistance.

Lineth was home in 1:10.40, while Erkesso took 1:11.22 and Tune joined them on the podium with a time of 1:11.35.

The best Indian male performer was Ram Singh Yadav, who finished 18th overall with a time of 1:06.52. Bhairav Singh Lone came second followed by P. Nagendra Rao. In the women's section, Pampa Chanda finished 13th overall followed by Rina Das, who finished 15th.

The results:

Men: 1. Francis Kibiwott (Ken) 1:01.36, 2. Cuthbert Nyasngo (Zim) 1:02.30, 3. John J. Korir (Ken) 1:03.16. Women: 1. Lineth Chepkirui (Ken) 1:10.40, 2. Erkesso Teriba (Eth) 1:11.22, 3. Dire Tune (Ken) 1:11.35.