Record number of finishers in hot marathon – Stockholm Marathon 2008

The third consecutive Stockholm Marathon afflicted by high temperatures (24-25 degrees C) still produced record numbers. 14 680 runners started the race and 13 542 crossed the finish line in the Olympic Stadium of 1912.

Last of them was Taino Koivisto of Finland who run her first marathon. "It's my birthday today, I'm 53!"
Willy Korir was four hours faster than Mrs Koivisto. The Kenyan runner had also reasons to celebrate since it was his first victory in an International Marathon. Korir injected a faster pace after 30 kilometers when he still had company with his compatriots Bernard Mutai and Paul Tangus as well as Tchad's Abdelkarim Abdoulaye and the defending Champion Phillip Bandawe, Zimbabwe. Korir, winner of Eldoret Half Marathon in 2006, won by a margin of almost two minutes.

Isabellah Andersson made her first serious attempt to run a marathon. Still, she showed master tactics. Andersson traced the Swedish record holder Lena Gavelin during the first of the two laps through the capital city. While most of the competitors slowed down in the final stages Andersson stepped up the pace. 1.18.19 at the halway point was follwed by a second half in 1.15.55! Gavelin struggled and lost more than six minutes.

FACTS
• 18 231 entrants (13 911 men and 4 320 women) from 61 countries. 14 680 started the race and 13 542 finished.
• Results MEN: 1) Willy Korir, ZIM, 2.16.03. 2) Bernard Mutai, KEN, 2.17.57. 3) Paul Tangus, KEN 2.19.26. WOMEN: 1) Isabellah Andersson, SWE, 2.34.14. 2) Lena Gavelin, SWE, 2.40.43. 3) Lilian Magnusson, SWE, 2.45.15.

MEN:
1  Willy KORIR                       KEN  2:16:03
2  Bernard MUTAI                     KEN  2:17:57
3  Paul K TANGUS                     KEN  2:19:26
4  Phillip BANDAWE                   ZIM  2:20:08
5  Abdelkarim ABDOULAYE              CHA  2:20:16
6  Dmytro OSADCHY                    UKR  2:22:33
7  Samuel K CHEPNO                   KEN  2:23:24
8  Martin M MUSILA                   KEN  2:24:44
9  Said REGRAGUI                     SWE  2:25:25
10 Marko VAITTINEN                   FIN  2:26:29
 
WOMEN:
1  Isabellah ANDERSSON               SWE  2:34:14
2  Lena GAVELIN                      SWE  2:40:43
3  Lilian MAGNUSSON                  SWE  2:45:15
4  Ida KOVACS                        HUN  2:47:57
5  Anna Von SCHENK                   SWE  2:49:08
6  Malin EWERLOF-KREPP               SWE  2:49:22
7  Veronika BRYCHCINOVA              CZE  2:50:17
8  Kajsa BERG                        SWE  2:51:46
9  Margrethe LOGAVLEN                NOR  2:51:59
10 Emily C SAMIKWA                   KEN  2:52:10