PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
IAAF ratifies Kenyan Wilson Kipsang's senior men's world marathon record
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - World athletics governing body, IAAF, has ratified the senior men's world marathon record of 2:03:23 set by Kenya's Wilson kipsang on 29 September, 2013, in Berlin, Germany.
According to the IAAF, Kipsang shattered the old mark of 2:03:38, set by another Kenyan Patrick Makau on 25 September, 2011, also in Berlin.
The IAAF also indicated that Mark Kiptoo, another Kenyan who made an impressive Marathon debut in Frankfurt last month, is focusing attention to what will be his big challenge -- a shot at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships title in Copenhagen, Denmark, next March.
The Kenyan surprised many people with his run at the BMW Frankfurt Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, with the 37-year-old barely meriting a mention in most pre-race predictions, perhaps due to his age or the fact that it was his first time over the classic distance.
However, Kiptoo coped better with the swirling winds and lashing rain than all but one of his more experienced, but younger marathon rivals to take the runner-up spot in 2:06:16, just one second behind the winner, compatriot Vincent Kipruto.
Kiptoo, who only started competitive running at the age of 27 after being cajoled into competing in a Kenyan air force inter-wing event, will seek advice on where to race next on his return to Kenya, where his small training group is guided by Sammy Rono.
However, after lowering his Half Marathon best to 1:00:42 when winning the famous Medio Maratón Azkoitia-Azpeitia in Spain this March, there’s little doubt he would relish the opportunity to compete for his country in Copenhagen on 29 March.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 14Nov2013
According to the IAAF, Kipsang shattered the old mark of 2:03:38, set by another Kenyan Patrick Makau on 25 September, 2011, also in Berlin.
The IAAF also indicated that Mark Kiptoo, another Kenyan who made an impressive Marathon debut in Frankfurt last month, is focusing attention to what will be his big challenge -- a shot at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships title in Copenhagen, Denmark, next March.
The Kenyan surprised many people with his run at the BMW Frankfurt Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, with the 37-year-old barely meriting a mention in most pre-race predictions, perhaps due to his age or the fact that it was his first time over the classic distance.
However, Kiptoo coped better with the swirling winds and lashing rain than all but one of his more experienced, but younger marathon rivals to take the runner-up spot in 2:06:16, just one second behind the winner, compatriot Vincent Kipruto.
Kiptoo, who only started competitive running at the age of 27 after being cajoled into competing in a Kenyan air force inter-wing event, will seek advice on where to race next on his return to Kenya, where his small training group is guided by Sammy Rono.
However, after lowering his Half Marathon best to 1:00:42 when winning the famous Medio Maratón Azkoitia-Azpeitia in Spain this March, there’s little doubt he would relish the opportunity to compete for his country in Copenhagen on 29 March.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 14Nov2013
