There was a Kenyan double victory in Berlin’s traditional 25K. While Samuel Karuku came through surprisingly to win in the high-class time of 1:13:49, his countrywoman Peninah Arusei set a course record with 1:24:10. Taking into account the two winning times, this edition of the Berlin 25K was the best yet for quality since the race was first held in 1981. The new organizers, Berlin Runs, recorded a total of 8,142 participants from 23 countries. This represents an increase of more than 1,000 runners over last year, even though the organizers, led by Gerhard Janetzky, dropped the inline skating from the race program to leave the runners center stage. Over 50,000 spectators were on the course.
“I had prepared well and knew I’d have to run fast,” explained the 28-year-old Karuku. He’d gone clear of the leading group as early as the seventh kilometer, after the pacemaker John Mutai (Kenya) dropped out much earlier than planned. “I kept on telling the pacemaker to run faster. When he dropped out, I went into the lead on my own,” said Karuku, who from then on stayed 50 to 100 meters ahead of the field. Although a solid group of runners followed him for quite a while, none of them were able to close the gap.
When Karuku reached 20 km in 58:30, Patrick Ivuti (Kenya), 14 seconds down, took up the chase. It looked as if Ivuti, winner of the 2007 Chicago Marathon and a late entry to the race after recovering from malaria, would get on level terms. But Karuku, whose training group near Nairobi includes Isaac Macharia (runner-up in the Dubai Marathon to Haile Gebrselassie), responded and retained the lead. Ivuti came in second in 1:14:04, and Gilbert Chepkwony (Kenya) took third in 1:14:11. “I’m going well again now. This was a very good test for my next marathon in San Diego on June 1. I want to beat my personal best of 2:07:46 there,” said Ivuti.
For the eighth consecutive occasion in the 25K, Kenyans took the men’s and women’s titles. The women’s race developed into the expected duel between Arusei, winner of the 2006 race, and last year’s champion Flomena Chepchirchir, also from Kenya. In 2007 Arusei came off worse and finished second, but this time it was the other way round. Four kilometers from the finish, Arusei dropped her opponent. She crossed the finish line in Berlin’s Olympic stadium in 1:24:10, breaking the course record which had stood for nine years. (Kenya’s world-class marathoner Susan Chepkemei ran 1:24:29 in 1999.) “I’m delighted to have broken the course record and shall now be preparing for the track season,” said the 29-year-old winner, who earned 3,000 Euro, 750 more than Karuku. Chepchirchir was second in 1:24:55.
“This has been an outstanding start for us. The numbers of participants are clearly up on last year and we have excellent winning times as well,” said Janetzky, the race director, who is also meeting director for the ISTAF meeting, which marks the beginning of the Golden League season on June 1.
Shalane Flanagan Shatters American 10K Record
Shalane Flanagan made an impressive 10,000m debut on Sunday night. At the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, California, the 26-year-old broke the U.S. record and won the race in 30:34.49. With that time she was almost 16 seconds faster than Deena Kastor six years ago at the same meet (30:50.32). Shalane Flanagan is now the world leader for 2008 and achieved the fastest 10,000m time ever run in North America. Flanagan also holds the American record for 5,000m (14:44.80).
Until the last 200 meters, Flanagan ran with New Zealand’s Kim Smith up front. Smith finished second, clocking 30:35.54, and achieved a national record as well. Third was Kenyan collegiate Sally Kipyego in 31:25.45. Sabrina Mockenhaupt (Germany) finished fourth in 31:27.05 and qualified for the Olympic Games as well as set a new personal record.
Strong results were also seen in the men’s race, which Craig Mottram (Australia) won in 27:34.48 minutes. Steeplechaser Günther Weidlinger (Austria) finished second in 27:36.46, a new national record. Third was Josphat Boit (Kenya) in 27:40.64. A strong debut was run by Briton Mo Farah, who finished fifth in 27:44.54.
Benita Johnson Wins 10K in Edinburgh
Benita Johnson returned with a victory in the 10K in Edinburgh. The Australian had a knee injury in winter. Due to a training deficit she was forced to pull out of the London Marathon. Now she won in a superior manner in Scotland on a hilly course in 32:20 ahead of Rose Cheruiyot (Kenya/32:33) and Aniko Kalovics (Hungary/33:32).
After about 5K, Johnson increased the pace and left her competitors behind. “That is an important win for me, as I can now look forward to the Olympic Games,” said Johnson, who hasn’t yet decided which distance she’ll run in Beijing. “I will run a 10,000m race in Ostrava in June, and afterwards I decide which distance I will run at the Olympics.”
In the men’s race, the favorite, Boniface Kiprop (Uganda), experienced a surprise just before the finish. The 10,000m runner, who finished fourth at the Olympic Games in 2004, was beaten by Bernard Kipyego in the final spurt. The 21-year-old Kenyan was at Kiprop’s heels when he increased the pace 200 meters from of the finish. Then he passed Kiprop and won by 3 seconds in 28:59. Third was the Frenchman El Hassan Lahsinni in 29:03.
