•“It has been a while since I won a race. This is good for me,” —Korir.
•Two-time Chicago Marathon champion Florence Kiplagat completed the podium in 2:39.34.
Image: EMMANUEL SABUNI
The 2014 Toronto Marathon champion Laban Korir and upstart Joan Kipyatich led Kenyans in dominating the Kigali International Peace Marathon on Sunday in Rwanda.
Korir, who has experience in running the 42km distance, clocked 2:16.06, to win the race ahead of compatriots Cornelius Kiplagat (2:16.18) and Moses Mengich (2:18.38) who finished second and third respectively.
Micah Chemweno (2:18.46) completed Kenya's top four places. Kipyatich won the women's race in 2:33.47 with Ethiopia's Abebayehu Meseret taking the second place in 2:36.08. Two-time Chicago Marathon champion Florence Kiplagat completed the podium in 2:39.34.
In an interview, Korir said it has been a while since he won a race and the victory will always be a memorable one in his athletics career.
“It has been a while since I won a race. This is good for me,” he said. Korir won the 2014 Toronto Marathon timing 2:08.15
Selected results
Men
1. Laban Korir (KEN) 2:16.06
2. Cornelius Kiplagat (KEN) 2:16.18
3. Moses Mengich (KEN) 2:18.38
4. Micah Chemweno (KEN) 2:18.46
5. Noel Hitimana (RWA) 2:19.01
6. Alexis Nizeymana (RWA) 2:19.30
7. Jonathan Akankwasa (UGA) 2:20.05
8. Kipkemoi Kipsang (KEN) 2:20.41
Women
1. Joan Kipyatich (KEN) 2:33.47
2. Abebayehu Meseret (ETH) 2:36.08
3. Florence Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:39.34
4. Degefa Beyenu (ETH) 2:43.26
5. Sheila Chepkech (KEN) 2:43.32
6. Ayele Gebaynesh (ETH) 2:45.49
7. Lilian Jebitok (KEN) 2:46.42
8. Birhanu Bero (ETH) 2:48.12