Ernest Ng’eno leads Kenyan sweep in China

Not even the sweltering heat in China's Dongying city could stop Kenyan's Ernest Ng’eno and Helena Kirop from claiming victories in the 2015 Yellow River Estuary International Marathon on Sunday.

Ng’eno upset a strong field including 10 sub-2:09 runners to win in 2:11:47 in a race held under 30 degrees Celsius.

The 20-year-old, who has a personal best of 2:10:01 from his second place finish at the 2014 Turin Marathon, held off a powerful challenge from his countryman Ishmael Chemtan in the final 200m to snatch the victory.

(READ: Kenya sweeps podium at London Marathon)

Ng’eno missed out on the course record of 2:11:44, set by fellow Kenyan Isaac Macharia in 2010.

The 23-year-old Chemtan, the winner of last year’s Ljubljana Marathon in 2:08:25, came home two seconds behind Ngeno while Robert Kwambai finished third in 2:13:26 to complete a clean sweep of the podium for Kenya.

“I was in my best shape and expected to run 2:08 here to improve my personal best, but it was just too hot,” said Ngeno.

KIROP UPSETS DEFENDING CHAMP

Morocco’s 34-year-old veteran Najim El Qady took an early lead soon after the gun, pacing the leading group of 16 to the 5km mark in 15:35 and then 10km in 30:30.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Mestawet Tufa failed to defend her 2014 title as Kirop, 38, hit the finishing line first in 2:31:36, nearly one-and-a-half minutes shy of the 2:30:09 course record set by Tufa last year.

It was the third time lucky for Kirop who has run in Dongying twice before, finishing as the runners-up in 2012 and fifth in 2013.

“I have been in Dongying three times. Finally, I've won the race this year,” said Kirop after the race.