Helena Javornik of Slovenia wins the 2004 Turin Marathon (© Lorenzo Sampaolo)
A year after he was one of the pacemakers in the ING Amsterdam marathon Robert Cheboror won the 29th edition of the event in the capital of The Netherlands.
The tall Kenyan, who will be 26 on 11 November, crossed the finishline in the 1928 Olympic stadium in 2:06:23 not only bettering the one-year-old course record (2:06:39) of compatriot William Kipsang but also becoming the third fastest marathon runner of the year.
Only Cheborors countrymen Felix Limo (2:06:14, Rotterdam) and Evans Rutto (2:06:16, Chicago) were quicker in 2004.
The East African, who was second in this year’s Boston marathon, ran an impressive race at Amsterdam. Around the 36th kilometre in the centre of Amsterdam Cheboror went away from his last opponent Rodgers Rop (Ken) and was never in danger.
His training companion and title defender William Kipsang finished second 2.18 behind.
The women’s race was won by Helena Javornik of Slovenia who set a personal best with 2:27:33, finishing 20th overall.
Windy and cold
At the start the weather conditions looked ideal with overcast sky, a temperature of 10/11 degrees CT and nearly no wind. During the race however a light rain started and the wind was coming up. As result of that a lot of runners were complaining about the cold.
The race started in the Olympic stadium where it returned after a loop of around seven kilometres and then on the loop course of 35 kms, there was a leading group of twelve including three pacemakers.
The rabbits set a high pace with the first ten kilometres covered in 29.22. The pace went up and down but when the leaders reached the 15 kilometre point (44.54) and they had to fight a headwind along the river Amstel (this part was also run in the 1928 Olympic marathon) the pace became more even but stayed rather quick.
After halfway the leading group of nine (Kipsang, Rop, Cheboror, Boumlilli, Manyim,Lahsinni) Kipsang and the pacemakers Jackson Koech and Silas Kirui (both Ken) broke away.
William Kipsang lost contact with the group several times (he later said he had troubles with his back) but every time came back.
Decisive move at 36k
At 35km Rop and Cheboror were alone and at that moment it looked as the winner should come from them.
And one kilometre later Cheboror left the weakening Rop and went on to win with a wide margin. Rop dropped further back and was finally passed by seven runners.
Title defender William Kipsang looked very strong in the final kilometres but his training partner Cheboror was too far ahead.
The broad smiling winner said afterwards: “I asked William if he was angry I betterd his course record but he he said ‘no, I'm happy for you with the course record and the personal best.’''
Javornik wins women's race
In the women’s race 38-year-old Helena Javornik and Emily Kimura were running together until around the 34km then the Slovenian went away and took over two minutes over her last opponent.
Javornik was happy with her win but disapointed about her time.
“I hoped for a time around 2:25:00. I had some problems between twelve and thirty kilometres. After 30km I went well and had no problems anymore.''
Results
Men
1. Robert Cheboror (Ken) 2: 06:23 (PB; course record)
splittimes: 15:04-29:33-44:54-1:00:26-1:04:07-1:15:23-1:30:06-1:44:59-1:59:59)
2. William Kipsang (Ken) 2:08:41
3. El Hassan Lahsinni (Fra) 2:10:10
4. Wilfred Kigen (Ken) 2:12:05
5. Hugo van de Broek (Ned) 2.12:08 (PB)
6. Khalid Boumlilli (Mar) 2.12:32
7. Salim Kipsang (Ken) 2:12:44
8. Teferi Bacha (Eth) 2:13:07
9. Rodgers Rop (Ken) 2:13:58
10. Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei (Ken) 2:14:16
11. Dereji Tesfaye (Eth) 2:15:06
12. Henry Tarus (Ken) 2:15:37
13. Philip Manyim (Ken) 2:18:17
14. Pavel Faschingbauer (Cze) 2.18.23
15.Francisco Bautista (Mex) 2:18:50
16: Sullivan Smith (GBr) 2:25:48
Titus Munyi (Ken) DNF
Women
1. Helena Javornik (Slo) 2:27:33 (PB, 20th overall)
splittimes: 17:00-33:53-51:23-1:09:07-1:13:25-not available-1:44:30-2:02:19-2:19:59)
2. Emily Kimuria (Ken) 2:29:46 (23th)
3. Tigiste Abidi (Eth) 2:33:26 (35th)
4. Kristijna Loonen (Ned) 2:37:01 (42nd)
5. Jane Rotich (Ken) 2:37:14 (43 rd)
6. Alena Samokhvalova (Rus) 2:38:43 (52nd)
Wim van Hemert for the IAAF
