Tanzanian overcomes stiff challenge from second-placed Kipkorir to win elite full marathon
It's early morning. There are shiny lights going in sync with the sparkling blue carpet on the starting line. There are not many people around. It was, as they say, the calm before the storm.
Despite the slight chill, the runners were all set to sweat it out in the 14th edition of the prestigious Mumbai Marathon here on Sunday.
And, the race lived up to the excitement, with Alphone Simbu and Bornes Kitur emerging the winners in the elite men's and women's full marathon, respectively.
Simbu, who belongs to Singida region in Tanzania, overcame a stiff challenge from the second-placed Joshua Kipkorir of Kenya en route to the biggest title of his career.
The two were not in the lead until 90 minutes, before Kipkorir — a relatively unknown runner in the elite marathon circuit — took charge of a bunch of runners.
At about one hour and 47 minutes, Simbu accelerated to jog on par with Kipkorir. They went neck-to-neck thereafter for about 20 minutes, before the former made use of his superior reach to extend the distance.
Simbu completed the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres first with a timing of 02:09.32. Kipkorir came second after clocking 02:09.50.
"It was very tough... it was a challenge," Simbu, who finished fifth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said of his duel with Kipkorir. "I'm very happy because I started preparing well before for this competition."
Kipkorir was gracious in his defeat. "I'm happy. The race good and the weather was cool," he said.
Kipkorir was joined by compatriot Eliud Barngetuny on the podium. A seasoned campaigner, Barngetuny took rapid strides towards the end of the course to finish third with a timing of 02:10.39.
"I was fighting to come to the podium," the 43-year-old said after realizing his target.
Kitur wins women's crown
Meanwhile, having settled for a runner-up finish last year, Kenya's Kitur made sure she went an extra mile this time around as she triumphed in the elite women's event.
Kitur led the bunch throughout, and only extended her lead to eventually finish the distance in 02:29.02, well ahead of the Ethiopian duo of Chaltu Tafa (02:33.03) and Tigist Girma (02:33.19), who finished second and third, respectively.
However, the podium finishers were not too happy with the climate. "Although the temperature was humid, it was a good (race)," Kitur said.
Tafa seconded the view, saying, "Because of the temperature, it was a little difficult. But, very happy to have finished second."
Girma, who managed to pull off the final place on the podium, also agreed. "It was a tough course, but I'm very happy (with my performance)," she said.
Elite Men Winners
Position Name Gun Finish Time
1 Alphonce Simbu (TANZANIA) 02:09.32
2 Joshua Kipkorir (KENYA) 02:09.50
3 Eliud Barngetuny (KENYA) 02:10.39
Elite Women Winners
Position Name Gun Finish Time
1 Bornes Kitur (KENYA) 02:29.02
2 Chaltu Tafa (ETHIOPIA) 02:33.03
3 Tigist Girma (ETHIOPIA) 02:33.19
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Alphonce Simbu")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}