27th SUISSEGAS BELGRADE MARATHON with Balkan Marathon Championships

The phrase "strong wind" has been repeated by all the participants at the finish line of the 27^th SuisseGas Belgrade Marathon which culminated in the victories of Kenyan runners  – Benard Kipkorir Talam in men's and Valary Jemeli Aiyabei in women's competition.

Talam (1986) managed to break away from Paul Kimeli Samoei after the 32km mark and fighting the strong headwind reach the finish line with his new personal best – 2:14,35.

– I managed to finish the first half of the course without any problems, but then the strong headwind combined with an uphill stretch at the very finish and strong sun made it very difficult for me. I am very happy that I won, especially as I was not one of the favourites – the two Edwin's were – Kangogo and Kitum – but I have also managed to set my new personal best – said the winner.

Paul Kimeli Samoei came second with 2:15,49, the last year's winner Edwin Kiplagat Kitum placed third with 2:21,51, while Edwin Kangogo Kimaiyo, who had announced his intention to break the course record, failed to finish the race.

The outcome in the women's competition was also somewhat unexpected. Ethiopia's Ayano Yenealem Buli (PB 2:34,11) who had arrived to Belgrade with the best result, kept up with Kenya's Valary Jemeli Aiyabei until the 26km mark when she suffered a crisis and ranked third. Valary Jemeli Aiyabei won with 2:37,08, the second place went to Hellen Jepkosgei Kimutai, also Kenyan, with 2:42,24 , while Ayano placed third with 2:43,45.
– I am satisfied with the race, although it was very difficult. The wind was such a hindrance. I like Belgrade – said Jemeli after the race.

The Balkan Marathon Championships was also held within the 27^th SuisseGas Belgrade Marathon and the winners were Vitalie Gheorgita (Moldova) with 2:31,22 and Serbia's Ana Subotić with 2:44,03.

In the half marathon, which also served as the Serbian Championships, the winners were Serbia's Darko Živanović (1:08,59) and Olivera Jevtić (1:19,20). The adverse effect of the headwind can be best seen from the fact that the half marathon course record is 1:11,41 set by Olivera Jevtić.

The marathon had 544 participants, the half marathon 3,094, while the 5km Fun Run was attended by approximately 20,000 runners of all ages.

 

RESULTS

 

Men, marathon, overall ranking

1. Talam Benard Kipkorir     KEN                2:14,35

2. Samoei Kimeli Paul          KEN                2:15,49

3. Kitum Edwin Kiplagat      KEN                2:21,51

 

Women, marathon, overall ranking

1. Aiyabei Valary Jemeli       KEN    2:37,08

2. Kimutai Hellen Jepkosgei KEN    2:42,24

3. Buli Yenealem Ayano       ETH    2:43,45

 

Balkan Marathon Championships

Men

1. Gheorgita Vitalie               MDA   2:31,22

2. Agrali Javuz                     TUR    2:34,11

3. Lupulescu Daniel               ROU    2:41,43

  

Women

1. Subotić Ana                     SRB    2:44,03

2. Mihaylova Mulka                BUL    3:00,08

3. Danci liliana Maria              ROU    3:04,58

  

Half Marathon

Men, overall ranking

1. Živanović Darko                SRB    1:08,59

2. Stošić Kristijan                  SRB    1:12,35

3. Ukić Goran                        SRB    1:13,19

  

Women, overall ranking

1. Jevtić Olivera                    SRB    1:19,20

2. Nevena Rajković               SRB    1:27,14

3. Jovanović Sofija                SRB    1:34,38