Martin Lel makes his comeback at the Great North Run. © www.photorun.net
Martin Lel won the Great North Run in Newcastle, England for the second time since 2007. The Kenyan ran an impressive 59:32 minutes to triumph in the largest half-marathon race in the world. His winning time was the second-fastest performance in the history of this long-established race. The women’s race ended in a surprise win for the Portuguese runner Jessica Augusto who clocked 69:08. Approximately 38,000 runners were on the start line on Sunday.
Lel’s victory was a nice comeback. At the Virgin London Marathon earlier this year, he had to withdraw due to a persistent hip problem. In his first competition since the Lisbon Half-Marathon last March, the 30-year-old surged past his last remaining rival, fellow Kenyan Kiplimo Kimutai, in the final kilometer. Kimutai finished second in 59:44—also a world-class time. The double world marathon champion, Jaouad Gharib, struggled with cramps at the 16-kilometer mark. Nevertheless, the Moroccan still managed to finish third in 60:04. “I was well prepared and had no problems with my hip. I’m now going into a period of heavy training with the aim of winning the New York Marathon for a third time” said an elated Martin Lel afterwards.
Jessica Augusto of Portugal led from start to finish for a surprise win in the women’s race in Newcastle. The 27-year-old’s time of 69:08 was a personal best by around two-and-a-half-minutes. Augusto finished eleventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final at the World Championships in Berlin last month. “This is the biggest win of my career. Taking into account the strong entries from the Ethiopians and Kenyans, I was surprised that no-one else was prepared to go with my pace,” Augusto said. Berhane Adere of Ethiopia was second in 69:42 ahead of Ana Dulce Rosa (Portugal/69:48). The Boston Marathon winner, Salina Kosgei (Kenya), finished fifth in 70:11.
All in the Family at the “Dam tot Dam” Run
Last weekend was definitely the time to run a race! The real,- Berlin Marathon had over 40,000 entries, 54,000 people signed up for the Great North Run, and 35,000 runners were on the start line for the traditional “Dam tot Dam” in the Netherlands. In the 25th edition of this 10-mile race, Moses and Linet Masai (siblings!) proved unbeatable.
The men’s race developed into a four-way contest. Joining Moses Masai at the front of this high-quality field were fellow Kenyans Charles Kamathi (a former world 10,000m champion) and Micah Kogo (Olympic bronze medalist over 10,000m) as well as the Ethiopian Getu Feleke. Spectators were treated to a thrilling finish with Moses Masai winning the sprint to the line in 45:16 minutes, just ahead of Kamathi who was given the same time. Getu Feleke was third in 45:29 with Micah Kogo fourth in 45:41.
The women’s race wasn’t as closely contested with Linet Masai coming in at 50:39. Only Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) has run faster than the Kenyan for the distance, having gone through 10 Miles in 50:01 during the 2003 Great North Run in Newcastle, although that course has a slight descent. Hilda Kibet (Netherlands) came in 42 seconds behind, running 51:21. Peninah Arusei of Kenya was third in 51:26.
Ryan Hall and Catherine Ndereba Win in Philadelphia
Ryan Hall of the United States and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya were the winners of the 32nd edition of the Philadelphia Distance Run. Hall, who will run the ING New York City Marathon on November 1, was using the race as a tune-up. Around 18K mark, the 26-year-old broke away from his three Kenyan rivals: Samuel Ndereba, Benjamin Limo, and Valentine Orare. Hall crossed the line in 61:52 minutes, winning by four seconds ahead of Ndereba. Limo (62:01) and Orare (62:22) third and fourth place respectively. “It was a tough race for me but my legs felt good right through to the end,” said Ryan Hall afterwards.
Catherine Ndereba won the women’s race by three seconds in 69:43, ahead of her compatriot Irene Limika. “It’s been seven years since my last win in this race. Since I’ve been living in the area for 15 years, it’s very nice to achieve a “home” win,” Ndereba said. The Kenyan, Neriah Asiba, was third in 70:26 while the former Olympic 10,000m champion and former world-class marathoner Derartu Tulu took fourth place. The 37-year-old ran 70:33 for the half-marathon distance.
