NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 3 – Former Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Benson Kipruto led a Kenyan sweep at the Tokyo Marathon early Sunday morning, setting a new course record after clocking 2:02:16 as Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge struggled to finish a disappointing 10th.
Kipruto lowered Kipchoge’s course record of 2:02:40 set two years ago, as he led compatriots Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Ngetich to a podium sweep.
Kiplagat clocked 2:02:55 to finish second while Ngetich was third in 2:04:18. Kipchoge, who was using the marathon to prepare for the defense of his Olympic Games title in Paris in August, clocked 2:06:50 to finish 10th, only the third time in his career that he has lost a marathon.
Bethwell Kibet finished sixth (2:06:26), Simon Kariuki eighth (2:06:29) while debutant Bedan Karoki was 16th (2:07:59).
Meanwhile in the women’s race, Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru was second, clocking 2:16:14 while Ethiopia’s Asefa Kebede won the race, clocking 2:15:55 to break Brigid Kosgei’s course record.
In the men’s race, all eyes were definitely on Olympic champion Kipchoge, who returned to the city where he won two years ago, and was looking for a second title.
It all seemed to be going well for Kipchoge, as he stuck to the leading pack with the pacemakers taking them through the first 5km in 14:16.
He remained in the game after 20km, though this time, Kiprutto had started making his move and was on the pacers’ shoulder as he went through in 57:14, Kipchoge just five seconds behind him.
But the rain started beating him as they approached the 30km mark, the gap starting to increase with Kiprutto putting his feet on the gas pedals, and built an 11-second gap over Kipchoge.
The Kenyan former world record holder clearly seemed to be struggling, as even his movement on the road changed.
At the 35km mark, he was way off the leaders, who had built a three minute, and 17 second lead over him. He had dropped all the way down to 11th.
Kiprutto upfield didn’t show any signs of struggle as he commanded the race, and was running side by side with KIplangat, Ngetich a few paces behind him.
With two kilometres to go, the former Boston champion went into business, opening up the gap with Kiplangat and with the finish line in sight, there was no doubt he would be crowned the new winner.
