LALA MARATHON, MEXICO – 6 MARCH 2016 – Alan Brookes

It was hot, dry, and dusty in the high desert of La Lagunera for the 28th edition writes Alan Brookes. It was already 18°C when the elite women started at 06:40.

The men followed 10 minutes later, then another 5000 runners (a record 28% women) from every state in Mexico and across Latin America.

This year's race sold out within a month — the cap being determined by the number of hotel rooms in Torreón, Gomez Palacio and Lerdo — the three small industrial cities at the hub of "La Lagunera".

Hillary Kimaiyo, who in 2011 ran 2:08:17 on the course to establish Lala as the fastest marathon in all of Latin America, sped through the first kilometre in a hasty 2:51. After a toilet stop at 20k (64:11) the eight-strong chase group consumed him. They passed halfway in 67:40 and 30km in 1:36:41. Julius Keter then began to push the pace and Peru's Miguel Mallma was the only one brave enough to go with him.

Behind them it looked like a battle for third until Mallma dropped out and Colombia's Andres Ruiz, who was racing for Colombia's Rio standard of 2:19:00, started to chase. Then a relatively unknown Mexican Javier Vega began to passed what remained of the pack, plus Ruiz, and just fell short of catching Keter before the finish line under "Grito de Triumfo" — a spectacular archway created by architect Mario Talamas Murra in 2013 for the 25th anniversary..

In the women's race 42 year-old Dulce Maria Rodriguez battled heavy pre-race favourite Ogla Kimaiyo (KEN) for 28km before settling for 2nd. Dulce Maria was Lala champion in 2005 when she set the course record of 2:29:00. Kimaiyo had a comfortable victory but there was still great celebration at the Mexican's performance and Master's victory.

Maraton Lala is renowned for its marvellous support and engagement of the local community, that is at the heart of "La Fiesta Lagunera". Last October the race received a "Social Award" from AIMS for its contributions to the community through its "Corre con Causa" programme.

Alan Brookes

Photos: Inge Johnson / Canada Running Series

 MEN:
1  Julius KETER                   KEN  2:17:19
2  Javier VEGA                    MEX  2:17:23
3  Andres RUIZ                   COL  2:17:41
4  Sergio PEDRAZA              MEX  2:18:05
5  Daniel VARGAS                MEX  2:18:20
 
WOMEN:
1  Ogla KIMAIYO                   KEN  2:36:59
2  Dulce Maria RODRIGUEZ    MEX  2:42:05
3  Anabel MARTINEZ              MEX  2:44:42
4  Patricia Mojica GONZALEZ   COL  2:48:39
5  Angelica SANCHEZ              MEX  2:49:13

AIMSworldrunning.org