Mosop’s big tribute to Wanjiru

Photo/FILE

Moses Mosop salutes the crowd on his way to victory in the senior mens’ 12km race.

Kenya’s Moses Mosop won the Chicago Marathon in a course record on Sunday as Russian Liliya Shobukhova claimed the women’s title to become the first runner to win the event three straight times.

Both champions pulled away to post emphatic victories, Mosop clocking two hours, five minutes and 37 seconds to beat the previous course record of 2:05:41 set in 2009 by the late Sammy Wanjiru. (READ: Kenya's Wanjiru bags Sh70m with Chicago record)

Mosop led a Kenyan sweep of the podium. Wesley Korir was second in 2:06:15 and Bernard Kipyego third in 2:06:29.

Ethiopia’s Bekana Daba (2:07:59) and American Ryan Hall (2:08:04) completed the top five.

Mosop had made his marathon debut in April at Boston, where he ran the second-fastest marathon in history but finished behind compatriot Geoffrey Mutai in a race that didn’t meet world record specifications.

The Kenyan was also second in this year’s Paris Half-Marathon and set a world record of 1:26:47.4 in the 30,000 metres on the track in June at Eugene, Oregon.

Feted like kings and queens

He said before the race that a sore Achilles tendon had affected his training, but he showed no sign of it as he powered through the final third of the race.

When Korir made a move and took the lead briefly around the 18-mile mark, Mosop stayed with him and soon regained control. “Yesterday I didn’t think I was in good shape,” Mosop said.

“I’m very happy about the job I did today. I had a problem with my leg and wasn’t feeling too well.

“When I ran in Boston (earlier this year in a second fastest ever 2:03.06) I was in great shape, but this time I trained for only two months. All I wanted is to get was the course record.”

Shobukhova, too, made it look easy as she won in 2:18:20. “I’m unbelievably happy,” she said. “It’s something special.”

Shobukhova’s time might be enough to secure her 2012 Olympic berth. Russia’s federation will select its team based on the two fastest times posted between September 1 and the end of 2011.

Ethiopia’s Ejegayehu Dibaba was second in 2:22:09 and Japan’s Kayoko Fukushi third in 2:24:38.

Meanwhile, every Friday before the annual Chicago marathon, Kenyan marathon runners know that they will be feted like kings and queens.

What began as a simple home-made meal for the Kenyan marathon runners in 1988 has now evolved into an annual celebration for them and hundreds of people in Chicago.

More than 300 people gathered in a local church in Chicago last Friday to celebrate and fellowship with the Kenyan marathon runners who are in the city for Sunday’s Chicago Marathon.

The Kenyan community of Chicago, which numbers about 3,000 people, has hosted the annual dinner for the last 13 years.

Kenyan runners Wesley Korir, Evans Cheruiyot, the 2008 Chicago Marathon winner, Dickson Kiptolo Chumba, Edward Mugen, and Jonathan Maijo attended the event.

According to runner Wesley Korir, a two-time Los Angeles marathon winner, Chicago is the only marathon city that organises a welcome dinner for Kenyan athletes.

Wanjiru, Maathai honoured

“I always enjoy this dinner because I get to meet the Kenyans and to know that there are people who support us means a lot,” Korir said.

This year’s event was also a celebration of lives of two Kenyans – Sammy Wanjiru and Wangari Maathai.

Attendees honoured them with a moment of silence. It was just last year that marathon wonder kid Wanjiru attended the same welcome dinner and became a repeat Chicago Marathon champion two days latter.

Faith Chepkwony started the annual celebration at her house in 1988 when she wooed that year’s Kenyan marathon runners away from their hotel.

These days the event attracts a diverse group of runners and supporters outside of the Kenyan community.

“It began as a house party, and evolved into what it is now – huge,” Chepkwony said. Now, 13 years later, Chepkwony recruits partners and sponsors for the event.

This year’s major sponsor was Worldvision, a running club that raises money for the needy throughout 180 countries.

More than 1000 runners will participate in the Chicago marathon and their efforts will raise more $1 million dollars for water projects in Kenya.