90 years KOSICE Peace Marathon on sunday – Kenyan winners at the jubilee

KOSICE (SVK): The 90th jubilee of Kosice Peace Marathon was celebrated with second fastest winning times in the history of the event by Kenyan runners.

2010 winner Gilbert Chepkwony started his solo after 30 km and finished in 2:08:26 (12 000 euro prize including time bonus). He missed  his PB only by 10 seconds after 1:04:20 half. Helped by pacemakers Matthew Kimutai and mainly Albert Matebor in good weather (11.5 degrees at the start, nearly no wind, cloudy) the race was dominated by Kenyans.

Other runners with sub 2:10 bests faded, only Brighton 2013 winner Dominic Kangor managed to improve his position and finished second in 2:10:34. Third place for best Ethiopian, only 21 years old Afewerk Mesfin in 2:11:39. "In 2010 I needed to fight until the end as we were three runners together.

Despite that it was tougher today as I was alone after 30k and felt too cold weather for me. And I missed my personal  best by 10 seconds, that brings some negative feelings despite the nice win. I will come back to Kosice to achieve hattrick of wins in future," said the winner after his 15th marathon and second career best (2:08:16 in Daegu 2012).

Last year winner Patrick Korir was fifth (2:11:20).

Best Slovak marathon runner Katarina Beresova was helping with the pace the women group, but then finished the half-marathon in new PB 1:13:26 as the winner (second fastest by Slovak ever).

The trio of African runners was then together (1:13:40 half split) but the main favorite Lydia Rutto managed to separate herself from Ethiopian duo after 35 km and won in good quality 2:28:48 (6000 euro) and missed her best from Seoul 2013 only by 26 seconds. Last year third Lemlem Berha improved on position to second but not on time with 2:31:17 (last year 2:29:42 PB here).

Third with some margin Halima Hassen of Ethiopia 2:38:51. "I missed my plane
in Narobi so I arrived one day later to Kosice as planned. But that was not a problem, it did not influence my result. I must be satisfied, it is my only second win of the career after Linz this year in spring," said the Kenyan. Slovak marathon titles went to Boris Csiba 2:29:03
(overall 11th) and title defender Ingrid Petnuchova 2:51:15 (overall 4th, 6th title). In all races and categories a record participation of 10 000 runners from 45 countries was registered.

For the jubilee of 90 years since the first edition of this oldest marathon in Europe some special guests arrived headed by European Athletics president Hansjorg Wirz and and AIMS President Paco Borao.

MEN

1  CHEPKWONY Gilbert Kiptoo ( KEN)    02:08:26
2  KIMWETICH Dominic Kangor ( KEN )        02:10:34
3  WOLDETENSAE Afewerk ( ETH )              02:11:39
4  MAIYO Johnstone Kibet ( KEN )               02:12:43
5  KORIR Patrick Kiptanui ( KEN )                 02:13:20
6  MUTAI Joash Kipkoech  ( KEN )               02:14:10

WOMEN

1 RUTTO Lydia Jerotich (KEN)               02:28:48
2 YACHEM Lemelem Berha (ETH)               02:31:17
3 BERISO Halima Hassen (ETH )                 02:38:51

Brano Koniar
Race Director