PH
Robert Chemosin led a Kenyan sweep of the podium at the Vienna City Marathon on Sunday for his first victory in the discipline.
Competing in his third career marathon, Chemosin defied strong head winds in the final kilometers and accelerated from a leading group of five. He finished in a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 48 seconds.
Runner-up Charles Cheruiyot came 21 seconds behind to set a personal best of 2:10:09, and Suleiman Simotwo was another six seconds back in third.
“It was difficult. There was a lot of wind,” Chemosin said. “My goal was under 2:08 but I am happy with the win.”
Chemosin, who ran 2:08:05 on his marathon debut in Warsaw last year, became the first Kenyan winner in Vienna since Henry Sugut won here for a third time three years ago.
Fellow Kenyan Levy Matebo Omari was the fastest runner in the field with a personal best of 2:05:16 but he lost contact with the leading group with 15 kilometers to go.
Shuko Genemo of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:24:31, beating her countrywoman Ruti Aga by 56 seconds. Doris Changeywo of Kenya was 7:23 behind in third.
Two of the pre-race favorites, Fantu Jimma of Ethiopia and Susan Jeptoo of France, missed a turn while chasing the leaders and ran into the finish stretch of the half-marathon event.
Despite running about a kilometer extra, Jeptoo still finished in 10th.
