What was once a phenomenon—a pacemaker winning a marathon—is turning into a habit if not a tradition. Since the first major upset, in Los Angeles over a decade ago, it happens at least once a year. It was Joseph Ngeny’s turn to do the trick in Dubai, the Kenyan winning in hot and humid conditions, in 2:13:02 hours. Ngeny, 26, was only in the race, because the original Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon was postponed from January 6, following the death of the ruler, Sheikh Makhtoum.
But the Kenyan made his late entry count, and took his chance with both feet. He was due to pace to 30 kilometers, but approaching 27 kilometers, he called to his manager, who was following by car “I can finish?” Assured that he could, Ngeny—no relation to Noah, the Olympic 1,500-meters champion from Sydney—”though we are friends”—shot away from the pack, and was heading for a time, which would have been well under the course record of 2:09:33, set by another Kenyan, Joseph Kahuga in 2003. But the rising heat and humidity put paid to that possibility.
“I saw the guys were a little bit slow, so I decided to finish,” said Ngeny afterwards. “But the last ten, twelve kilometers were difficult on my own, and it was a little bit hot here. My other two marathons were in Italy in October and December, much cooler conditions.”
Ngeny had over a minute to spare on Ethiopian Giday Amha, who improved one place from last year, with his 2:14:25. And although another Kenyan, Elias Kemboi finished fastest of all, taking out five rivals in the last five kilometers, he began his effort too late, and was third in 2:15:01.
The women’s race also went to a Kenyan, Delilah Asiago, who won in 2:43:09. It was some sort of justice, since Asiago had been on her way to victory last year, when she succumbed to stomach pains and vomiting in the final 800 meters, during which she was passed by Ethiopian Diribe Hunde.
Shitaye Gemechu, who may have been racing too soon after winning the Rock’n'Roll Marathon in Phoenix a month ago was nevertheless almost two and half minutes down on Asiago, with 2:43:34. And, in third place, with 2:48:47, French-based Moroccan, Kenza Wahbi took advantage of a course misdirection in the final stages given to co-favorite, Luminita Talpos of Romania, who was followed by last year’s winner, Diribe and her colleague, Hirut Abera.
Results
Men—Place/Name/Bib/Country/Time
1. Joseph Ngeny (20/KEN) 2:13:02
2. Giday Amha (6/ETH) 2:14:25
3. Elias Kemboi (14/KEN) 2:15:01
4. Darwit Trfe (4/ETH) 2:15:07
5. Julius Kipkemboi (5/KEN) 2:15:34
6. Ahmed Jaber (27/QAT) 2:16:36
7. Henry Cherono (3/KEN) 2:16:50
8. Wilson Kiprone (9/KEN) 2:16:54
9. Fased Awerson (23/ERI) 2:17:34
10. David Kirui (2/KEN) 2:19:55
Women
1. Deliliah Asiago (32/KEN) 2:43:09
2. Shitate Gemechu (36/ETH) 2:45:34
3. Kensa Wahbi (37/MOR) 2:48:47
