Kenyan runners sweep titles in Taipei Marathon

TAIPEI - Agence France-Presse

An estimated crowd of 120,000 people participated to the Taipei Marathon. AFP photo

Kenyan runners swept the titles in both the men’s and women’s categories in the Fubon Taipei Marathon yesterday that drew more than 120,000 people.

Josphat Kamzee Jekopol dashed to the line in two hours, 15 minutes and 27 seconds, but he failed to break the Tapei Marathon record 2:10:24 set by Yemane Adhane of Ethiopia last year.

Jekopol was followed by compatriots Boniface Mbuvi Muema who clocked in 2:15:29 and Francis Kipkoech Bowen with 2:15:34.

Fellow Kenyan Caroline Cheptonui Kilel won the women’s title in 2:30:19, while Helena Loshanyang Kirop and Emily Chepkemoi Samoei, both of them also from Kenya, came in second and third respectively.
Both Jekopol and Kilel took home a cash prize of Tw$1.2 million ($41,300).

More than 6,700 people competed in the 42.2-kilometer event, while more than 113,000 others took part in the half-marathon and other events.