Daniel Yego wins 2007 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (© Brian Myers)
San Diego, California, USAKenyan Daniel Yego yesterday (3) won the 10th anniversary Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in a time of 2:09:04, with countrywomen Hellen Kimutai crossing the finish line in 2:32:40 to take the women’s division.
In all there were more than 17,800 runners and walkers competing in the race from around the world.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon’s event record of 2:08:33, set by Philip Tarus in 1999, was under assault throughout the majority of the men’s race. It was an all-Kenyan race as the men maintained a 2:07:00 pace up to mile 17, as Yego, 27, and 2005 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon champion Christopher Cheboiboch, 30, pushed the men’s pack challenged by countrymen Richard Maiyo, 30, and one of the race’s pacesetters 27-year-old Joseph Chirlee.
Yego, looking strong, began to lace in intermittent charges, dropping Maiyo first. Approaching mile 22, Yego had opened a one-minute lead on his closest competition, Cheboiboch, but his shot at the course record began to dwindle as he ran through mile 23 in 5:22.
“It would have been good to have someone with me,” Yego said, in reference to maintaining course record pace in the final miles.
The women’s race was tactical, lead by Kimutai, Romanian Nuta Olaru, 36, and Ethiopians Worknesh Tola, 29, and Mulu Seboka, 23.
No woman chose to take the lead as the pace fluctuated between a 5:40 per mile and 6:04 per mile pace. At mile 17 Olaru dropped off the pack from an apparent side stitch and Svetlana Pretot, 35, who had been well back of the lead pack took advantage of the conservative pace to join the leaders.
Pretot surged at mile 24, dropping Seboka, but Kimutai remained steady.
“I didn’t think I was going to win because she is very strong,” said Pretot. “I was surprised it was close until the last mile.”
With just a 10 second lead over Pretot, Kimutai who has a personal best of more than 13 minutes over Pretot, bettered her second place finish at the 2006 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon to become this year’s champion.
“I like the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon for all the wonderful cheering … it makes us stronger,” Kimutai said.
Ian Monahan – Elite Racing - for the IAAF
Men
1. Daniel Yego, Ken, 2:09:04
2. Christopher Cheboiboch, Ken, 2:10:58
3. Sylvester Chebii, Ken, 2:12:00,
4. Joseph Chirleeken, ken, 2:12:10
5. Fred Mogaka, Ken, 2:14:00
6. Boaz Kimaiyo, Ken, 2:14:26
7. Richard Maiyo, Ken, 2:15:25
8. John Birgen, Ken, 2:15:49
Women
1. Hellen Kimutai, Ken, 2:32:40
2. Svetlana Pretot, Fra, 2:32:50
3. Worknesh Tola, Eth, 2:32:59
4. Mulu Seboka, Eth, 2:33:27
5. Rimma Dubovik, Ukr, 2:36:50
6. Margaret Toroitich, Ken, 2:39:12
