Course records fall at Great Lakes Marathon

Kisumu, KenyaPaul Manwa, 25, won the 2006 Great Lake Marathon in this Kenya’s third biggest city on the shores of Lake Victoria today.

Manwa, who was making a marathon debut, clocked 2:16:05 to win the race after beating three close challengers in the home stretch. In the women’s race, 30-year-old Lydia Kurgat beat 12 others to win, registering her best time of 2:40:45.

Leading the pack of 77 men from the start at the Kisumu Central Business District Manwa eclipsed the four-year-old course record, which stood at 2:20:58.

“I was in the leading pack but after covering 25kms near Dunga beach, we strayed from the route. I realized after 500m, before we turned back. I quickly regained my position and beat those who did not stray,” said Manwa.

Josephat Kiprotich came second in 2:16:15, while Daniel Ongechi finished third in 2:16:25.

The women’s winner Kurgat, 25, whose time was also a course record from the previous 2:45:03, held by Delillah Asiago, was participating in her second marathon after coming third in 2:48:04 in the Niagara Falls Marathon in Canada on 22 October.

“Beating Sally Lagat was not easy,” she said adding she was not strong in the last 2km. Lagat, who finished second in 2:41:30, led the pack for most of the race. “I was too tired to withstand her (Kurgat’s) pressure,” she said.

The two are based in Eldoret and train at the nearby Kaptagat Camp.

Rael Jebyutor (2:42:35:00) was third, while Jackline Cheptoo came fourth in 2:45:15. Winnie Tanui was fifth in 2:47:20. Only five women completed the race.

Omulo Okoth for the IAAF

Leading Results:

Men
1. Paul Manwa 2:16:05
2. Josephat Kiprotich 2:16:15
3. Daniel Ongechi 2:16:25
4. Nick Biwott 2:16:30
5. Samuel Kororia 2:16:35
6. Decelpak Omari 2:16:40
7. Abraham Talam 2:16:45
8. Shadrack Maiyo 2:16:50
9. Benjamin Orina 2:17:05
10. David Kipsang 2:17:20

Women
1. Lydia Kurgat 2:40:45
2. Sally Lagat 2:41:30
3. Rael Jebyutor 2:42:35
4. Jackline Cheptoo 2:45:15
5. Winnie Tanui 2:47:20