LALA MARATHON, MEXICO – 2 MARCH 2014: Stephen NJOROGE (KEN) and Shewarge AMARE (ETH)

Stephen Njoroge snatched a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Mexican favourite Daniel Vargas in the 26th edition writes Alan Brookes. Shewarge Amare had a more comfortable victory in the women's race to become the first Ethiopian champion in Latin America's fastest marathon.

It was already 16°C on the startline in front of the Grupo Lala headquarters, and 22°C degrees by the time the winners reached the finish line at the Bosque Venustiano Carranza. The race winds its way through the cities of Torreon, Lerdo and Gomez Palacio at an elevation of 1000m. and is a gift from the dairy conglomerate Grupo Lala to the community that it calls home.

A new event, the recreational "Rodada Ciclista" with 1700 riders was held on the full marathon course the Sunday before to begin a week-long "Fiesta Lagunera". Equally impressive, a 25m high permanent arch was erected at the Finish Line. "El Grito de Triunfo" was created by Torreon architect Mario Talamás Murra, and also featured on this year's t-shirts and Finishers' medals.

A record, sold-out crowd of 5000 runners from eight countries took part and more than 100,000 spectators lined the streets.

Hillary Kimaiyo charged to the front from the start. It is a tactic that has won him many victories in Mexican races, including the 2011 edition of this race where he set the course record of 2:08:17 — the Latin American All-Comers Record. Kimaiyo pulled a lead pack of eight through 5km in 15:36. After 8km they split into two groups of four — the first group continuing to push the pace. Vargas led through halfway in 1:05:38 with only Simon Kariuki now tailing him.

By 25km he was on his own and almost a minute ahead of Njoroge. The gap had increased slightly by 30km and all the way through Gomez Palacio Vargas looked to be comfortably heading for a popular Mexican victory. Then disaster struck as he was forced to stop and stretch with leg cramps just before 35km. He stopped a second time at 36km, and again with 40km in sight. Njoroge patiently closed the gap to overtake him at 40km and open up a 50 second gap by the time they reached the Grito de Triunfo.

The women's race provided an early duel between Ethiopian Shewarge Amare and Kenya's Emily Chepkorir. They went through 10km together in 35:37 before Chepkorir opened a 13-second lead at 15km.

By Halfway they were back together, before the Ethiopian took control to eventually build up a comfortable five-minute winning margin.

 MEN:
1  Stephen NJOROGE              KEN  2:15:40
2  Daniel de Jesus VARGAS         MEX  2:16:32
3  Stephen KIBET                       KEN  2:19:22
4  Pedro ESPINOZA                    MEX  2:19:23
5  Jose Amado GARCIA              GUA  2:19:39
6  Miguel ALMACHI                      ECU  2:20:31
7  Hugo ROMERO                        MEX  2:22:52
8  Timothy CHICHESTER             USA  2:23:02
9  Alfredo PASCUAL                     MEX  2:25:22
10 Abraham ARTEAGA                MEX  2:26:32

WOMEN:
1  Shewarge AMARE              ETH  2:35:31
2  Emily CHEPKORIR                 KEN  2:40:05
3  Lady Yohanna TOBON           MEX  2:41:20
4  Liliana CRUZ                          MEX  2:46:16
5  Melissandre PASSERAT          MEX  2:46:57
6  Patricia RETIZ                        MEX  2:53:26
7  Judith RAMIREZ                     MEX  2:55:11
8  Elena GARCIA                        MEX  2:57:03
9  Maria Isabel VELEZ                  MEX  3:02:33
10 Maria del Rocio NAVARRO       MEX  3:04:38

Source: AIMSworldrunning.org