Kenya make clean sweep of KL Marathon Open titles

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenya made a clean sweep of both the men’s and women’s Open titles in the Standard Chartered KL Marathon at Dataran Merdeka on Sunday.

Kennedy Kiproo Lilan (pic) led home a Kenyan 1-2-3 as he completed the 42.2km race in 2’19:01 for his third straight KL Marathon crown. Chelimo Luka Kipkemoi clocked 2’19:35 to finish second while Kosgei Robert Kilagat was third in 2’19:50. 

Lilan, however, was disappointed not to have improved on his personal best of 2’11:36, which he achieved in China en route to winning the Zhengzhou Marathon in 2011. 

“It was a good race ... that’s why I keep coming back every year, I enjoy the race here, but I wish I could have improved on my time,” said Lilan who walked away with US$17,500 (RM56,455).

“Today (Sunday), the heat was very tough to deal with. Not like in pervious years, this time it was very hot, very humid conditions. You could feel it and that affected my time,” added the 24-year-old Kenyan whose next aim is to defend his title at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Dec 1.

In the women’s event, the Kenyans also occupied the top three spots with Rose Chekurui Kosegi claiming the title with a time of 2’41:05 followed by Viola Chepleting Bor (2’41:26) and Rose Kerubo Nyangacha (2’42:31).

Meanwhile, Sabah’s Fabian Osmond Daimor took the Malaysian title with a time of 2’41:55 ahead of favourite Shaharudin Hashim who clocked 2’45:28. Lim Kien Mau finished third in 2’47:53. 

“I would have liked to clock a faster time, but I’m still happy with how I finished,” said 30-year-old Fabian who picked up US$2,500 (RM8,065).

For Shaharudin, he decided to run at the last minute as he was still grieving over the death of his 70-year-old mother last Tuesday.

“I woke up today with a 50/50 feeling. I was unsure if I should run. My mind was not at ease, but my wife persuaded me to do it. She told me to do it for my mother. I told myself to go out and try my very best,” said the 38-year-old Shaharudin, who was the winner in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“Winning would have been a great gift to her memory, but I did my best. It’s been a very tough week for me ...” said Shaharudin as tears welled up in his eyes.