Kebede takes Paris Marathon win in 2:06:40
Paris, France – A 20-year-old Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede this morning won the 32nd edition of Paris Marathon – an IAAF Gold Label Road Race – in 2:06:40, currently the second fastest time in the world this year. Kenyan Martha Komu created a surprise in the women’s race, lowering her personal best by seven minutes to 2:25:33.
29,706 runners took the start of the 42,195m circuit across Paris streets, in front of some 200,000 spectators, on a sunny and cold (5°) morning. The still wind conditions allowed an impressive depth of performances, and despite the two uphill stretches the first 12 finishers dipped under 2:10 and the winner Kebede came within seven seconds of the 5-years-old course record.
Kebede, accompanied by his fellow Ethiopian Guisa Shentema, stayed among an otherwise largely Kenyan leading group which included James and Hosea Rotich, Philip Manyim, Benson Barus, Moses Kimeli Arusei, David Kiyeng Kemboi, Paul Kosgei (the former track specialist and Half Marathon World champion).
The pack cruised past halfway in 1:03:40, a more realistic pace than last year’s edition when the pacemakers had splits of 1:02.50 in the 20° temperatures which resulted to only two sub 2:10 performances.
This year taking advantage of perfect running conditions, the runners stayed in the group and positions remained largely unchanged until 30th kilometre when six Kenyans and the two Ethiopians were now leading the race.
The second uphill point on the circuit caused the most damage as by the 35th kilometre there were only three runners battling for the victory: Kebede, Shetema and Kimeli Arusei.
Running at a much faster pace than their personal bests, it was unclear who would have the resources left to win:
Moses Kimeli Arusei, 24, a 2:10:30 performer was taking part to his fifth marathon after a modest carrier on the track; the young Kebede had produced his marathon debut last October in Amsterdam, 8th with 2:08:16 and had showed good form once again in February (59:35 PB in Ras Al Khaimah 8 Feb); Shentema was the most experienced of the trio, as the 27-years-old was contesting his tenth marathon since 2003 and had lowered his personal best in January to 2:09:27 (Dubai 18 Jan).
Tags: marathon
Sunday 06 Apr 2008 | Donna | Uncategorized
Um… what is he now?
As long as he didn’t finish dead…Dude- way to go. It’s a marathon- finishing that is an accomplishment on its own, regardless of your time (unless you did a very slow walk).
This story is very inspirational, but I don’t think he was quite correct in illegally running a race. If he wants to run, thats great. If he wants to run a marathon, sweet. But next time, pay for admission, and run a race in your own league. Any local marathon will have plenty of runners clocking in at a pace much the same as his.He got awful looks not because he was chunky, or out of shape. He got bad looks because he’s running as a bandit in a premier event without going through the hardships and costs that everyone else there went through.From the BAA website:”I will never be able to qualify. Can I run the race as an unofficial or ‘bandit’ runner, or is there any other way I could officially enter?” The answer? “No, please do not run if you have not officially entered in the race.Race amenities along the course and at the finish, such as fluids, medical care and traffic safety, are provided based on the number of official entrants. Any addition to this by way of unofficial participants adversely affects the ability to ensure a safe race for everyone. The BAA makes a limited number of non-qualified entries available to local charities for fundraising purposes.
As a runner I would say that most runners are not the angry violent type. Some may get ***** off but we’re more concerned with finishing then with jerk photographers. She should move, but lay off the kill her attitude.
That’s less than 3mph average. Fast walking is 5mph, and briskish walking is 4 mph.Congrats to him for getting in shape, but if he can’t run or walk due to joints, he should have trained for a different contest.