David Kipkorir winning the Rome Marathon. © Colombo / Photo Run

It was a weekend with two fast distance races. In Lisbon Paul Tergat was defeated at the half marathon distance. The Kenyan finished fourth while his countryman Martin Lel won in very fast 59:30 minutes. In the women’s race another defending champion was beaten. Susan Chepkemei was defeated by Salina Kosgei who clocked 67:52 minutes. In Italy at the Rome Marathon the fastest time of the year was produced by David Kipkorir from Kenia. He clocked 2:08:38 hours.

Once again the Lisbon Half Marathon was the dress rehearsal for next month’s Flora London Marathon. Although Paul Tergat showed great form and ran a fast 59:42 minutes this was not enough to win. He placed fourth while London’s defending champion had a perfect last test race before the marathon: Martin Lel won the half marathon in 59:30. It was a Kenyan only affair at front. While Robert Cheruiyot placed second with 59:35 Samuel Wanjiru took third in 59:37. It was all Kenya in the women’s race as well. Salina Kosgei clocked a fast 67:52 and was eight seconds ahead of Susan Chepkemei. Rose Cheruiyot took third with 69:34.

On the same day in Rome David Kipkorir clocked the fastest time of the year. He won the marathon in 2:08:38. Italy’s Daniele Caimmi was second with 2:09:30 and qualified for the European Championships in Gothenburg in August. Kenya’s Laban Kipnetich finished third in 2:10:00. “I did not expect to win but when I pushed at 35 kilometers, nobody could go with me,” Kipkorir said. Ukraine’s Tetyana Hladyr won the women’s race in a quick personal best of 2:25:44. Larissa Zousko (Russia) was second with 2:26:26 while Zekiros Adanech (Ethiopia) took third in 2:27:38. Jen Rhines (USA) was fourth in 2:29:31.