Athletes achieve annual best in Dam tot Damloop 10 English Mile – Victory goes to Edwin Kiptoo and Joyce Chepkirui –

The 31st Dam tot Damloop was won by Edwin Kiptoo. The 27-year-old Kenyan crossed the Zaandam finish line in the Peperstraat alone, achieving the best performance of the year in a 10 English Mile race of 45:19 minutes. John Mwangangi was second to cross the line, with Yenew Alamirew securing third.

Joyce Chepkirui won the women’s race in 51:30 minutes, another annual best. Kiptoo also won the man-woman race, where women are given a head start, overtaking Chepkirui on the Dam, just a few hundred metres ahead of the finish line.

Edwin Kiptoo launched his attack after the IJtunnel. With the early pace being so fast, the Kenyan shook off the competition at the outset. He then raced through the streets of Amsterdam and Zaandam with powerful strides, with no one able to challenge him. He was briefly on track to beat the world record but was unable to maintain the pace, partly due to headwinds. He returns to Kenya with the Grote Prijs Zaanstad, having overtaken the fastest woman, Chepkirui, on the home stretch.

“The race went exactly as planned,” said Kiptoo after the event. “It was tough, but I’m pleased and proud.” Earlier this year Kiptoo came third in the TCS World 10K in Bangalore. John Mwangangi, who came second, was also pleased with his performance. “With an achilles injury I wasn’t able to get off to a fast start and as a marathon runner I couldn’t keep up with Kiptoo. Luckily, I had a good second half, so I was still able to finish second.” Mwangangi and Yenew Alamirew recorded times of 45:58 and 46:04 respectively. Former marathon world record holder, Wilson Kipsang, also found the fast pace hard going, finishing seventh in 46:42.

Joyce Chepkirui put her stamp on the race, breaking away from the start. It ended up being a drop-out race, with Jackline Chepngeno being the only contender. Yet, on the Zuiddijk, Chepngeno had to concede to Chepkirui, who won the race for the second time. In 2013 she completed the 10 English Mile in 51:33 minutes. Today it took her just 51:30, a considerable improvement on this year’s annual best (53:06).

Speaking of her victory Chepkirui said: “The first 3 kilometres were especially tough. The wind definitely had an impact today.” Chepkirui will be returning to the Netherlands for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon next month. Her compatriot, Jackline Chepngeno, ended up finishing 4 seconds later. Ethiopian Dibabe Kuma put in a final sprint to beat compatriot, Yenenesh Tilahun, in front of hundreds of spectators. Kuma took bronze in the IAAF Silver Label Road Race in 52:52.

Dutch runners

Tom Wiggers was the fastest Dutch runner in today’s race, finishing eleventh overall in 48:58. Wiggers: “I’m disappointed with the time: the wind was definitely a factor. But I’m pleased with eleventh place. I aim to be in the top 10 next year!” Joeri Wolf was next (50:06) and Michel Butter was third (50:25). Butter, who ran a marathon today, having already run 24 km before starting the 10 English Mile, is pleased with his race. “The Dam tot Damloop is a great opportunity to simulate a marathon. I was able to increase my speed in the final stretch.”

Hugo van den Broek was running his final race. “I really enjoyed the atmosphere. With so many spectators it was a fabulous race. I usually concentrate on what’s ahead of me, but this time I took in what was around me,” said Van den Broek as he bid farewell.

Among the women Kim Dillen was the fastest Dutch runner. She ran a personal best of 56:35. Inge de Jong was next in 56:40, ahead of Jamie van Lieshout (57:02).

Full results of the race can be found at www.damloop.nl.

About the event

A total of 46,000 runners took part in today’s Dam tot Damloop race from Amsterdam to Zaandam, making the event the largest 10 English Mile race in the world. The last runners crossed the finish line at 17:00. This morning 4,000 children took part in the Mini Dam tot Damloop children’s events.

The programme kicked off yesterday evening with Damloop by night, with 12,000 participants running a 5 English Mile race on a magically lit course.

Next year’s Dam tot Damloop events will be held on 17 and 18 September 2016.

Koert Hetterscheidt
Director
Le Champion