Incredible Kenyan Athletes

Sunday 15th March 2012 marked the day when Kenyan athletes yet again made Kenya proud with an awe-inspiring performance all over the world.

Stanley Biwott became the Paris marathon record holder after clocking 2hrs 05min 12sec in the men’s Paris marathon. Vincent Kipruto held the previous record with a time of 2hrs 05min 47sec.

“I realized early in the race that the pace was very fast. Then I told myself that if I can maintain that speed I can win the race, because nobody would be able to follow me,” Biwott told IAAF.

In Austria, Henry Sugut won the 29th Edition of the Vienna City Marathon in a record 2:06:58 beating that of World champion Abel Kirui. Gilbert Yegon, John Kiprotich, Gilbert Kirwa and Willy Kibor followed respectively.

Moses Mosop (Chicago Marathon winner and world record holder of 30,000m) came third in 32nd ABN Amro Rotterdam Marathon in 2:05.02 even after competing with a calf injury.

In Italy, Daniel Kiprugut (2:08:39) and Irene Kosgei Jerotich won the Milan Marathon after braving the rain. Nickson Kurgat came second.

In Japan, they made history at the Nagano Marathon; Francis Kibiwott won the men’s race clocking 2:09:05 beating the previous record set by two-time Olympic medalist Eric Wanaina of 2:10:17. Fellow compatriots, Silas Sang (2:09:10) and Moses Kangogo (2:10:53) followed for the podium finish. In the women’s race, Pauline Wangui clinched victory in 2:34:22. Rose Nyangacha came third in 2:36:18.

Adapted from IAAF and AFP reports