Mumbai Marathon 2016: Record-breaker Gideon Kipketer breaks free from rest

Kenyan pacesetter Gideon Kipketer not only won the men's 42km race of the 13th Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, but also broke the course record set by compatriot Jackson Kiprop in 2013.

The 23-year-old Kipketer led by more than 500m to finish in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 35 seconds, better than Kiprop's 2:09:32. Ethiopian Seboka Dibaba (2:09:20) finished second while Kenya's Marius Kimutai came third with a timing of 2:09:39.

In the women's race, Ethiopian Shuko Genemo triumphed with a rather unimpressive timing of 02:27:50. Kenya's Bornes Kitur (2:32:00) and Valentine Kipketer (2:34:07) were second and third, respectively. Kipketer started as a pacesetter and was doing an excellent job in pushing the lead pack. He was supposed to run only 30 kms, but as the weather conditions were favourable (20 degrees Celsius) at the start of the race, he didn't tire much and decided to run the full distance.

Kipketer's bib number was 33 and ironically, he broke off from the pact to take the solo lead during the 33rd km (Nehru Planetarium, Worli, stretch). After that, there was nothing that could stop him. His real test came during the uphill stretch of the Peddar Road flyover, but he passed it with flying colours by not slowing his pace. Only once after Kipketer reached Wilson College on the Chowpatty stretch did he slow down as none of the other runners were anywhere in sight. Not only did he slow his pace but he was also basking in his new-found glory. He was seen giving a thumbs up to passers-by and throwing his water bottle into the air. On the final stretch near CST, he ran with his hands in the air, acknowledging the cheers from the crowd. Perhaps he could have set an even better time but for these antics.

"I was enjoying myself," Kipketer said after winning the race. "I couldn't help celebrating before the finish." When asked what made him run the entire race, Kipketer said: "My body felt good at 30km. It was quite a challenging race, especially on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (because of the breeze) and the climb at the start (Peddar Road flyover), but I was properly hydrated and I knew I was capable of finishing the race," said Kipketer, who runs two marathons a year.

Dibaba, who finished second, said he couldn't catch up after Kipketer had taken such a huge lead. "It was hot and humid, so it was difficult. When he (Kipketer) took the big lead, it was not possible for me to overtake him. But I'm happy with my performance," he said.

Women's winner Genemo said she wasn't particularly happy with her timing, but it was the best she could in the conditions. "It was too hot towards the end of the race. Also, there were many uphills. That's why my time wasn't all that good. But I'm happy I won since I prepared well and was confident of winning," she said.

All in the family

It looks like the Kipketers have left an indelible mark at Mumbai Marathon. Kipketer is the elder brother of Valentine, who holds the women's course record (2:24) which she set in 2013. She finished third on Sunday as she lost precious time when her shoe laces untied at the 25km mark, but she said that knowing Kipketer win made her forget her own mishap.

"When I was struggling to catch up with the two ahead of me, I heard on the loudspeaker that Gideon won. I just felt very happy knowing that he won. I'm very happy for him," said Valentine, younger to Gideon by eight weeks. She said she was the one who convinced her brother to participate in this race.

For the record, Gideon is richer by $56,000 (Rs 37,96,243). He earned $41,000 as prize money and an additional $15,00 for breaking the course record. What does he plan to do with the money? "I want to build a home back in Kenya. I will use the money for my family. And I will also use it to for farming back home," he said.

anil.dias@dnaindia.net