Sambu triumphs in New York, Kitwara sets new PB

From Left: Daniel Salel of Kenya, Stephen Sambu of Kenya, Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia, Lani Rutto of Kenya and Ben True of the United States approach the finish line of the Boston Marathon as part of the 2014 B.A.A. 5K race course on April 19, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. PHOTO | FILE |

By  Ayumba Ayodi

Reporter

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Stephen Sambu atoned for his second placing last year with a dominant victory at New York City in 1hour, 01minutes and 16 seconds beating compatriot Wilson Chebet to second place in 1:01:35 on Sunday.
  • Kenyan-born American Sam Chelanga settled third in 1:01:43.
  • In Portugal, Kenya’s Sammy Kitwara improved his personal best by one second when he won the Lisbon Half Marathon in 59:47 on Sunday.

Kenyans extended their dominance in the New York City and Lisbon Half Marathon races last weekend.

Stephen Sambu atoned for his second placing last year with a dominant victory at New York City in 1hour, 01minutes and 16 seconds beating compatriot Wilson Chebet to second place in 1:01:35 on Sunday.
Kenyan-born American Sam Chelanga settled third in 1:01:43.

Kenya’s 2014 Commonwealth 10,000m champion Joyce Chepkirui lost to host Molly Huddle in a thrilling photo-finish as both clocked new course record time of 1:07:41. It was a replica of last year’s race where Huddle and Chepkirui went 1-2.

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However, the results kicked a debate as to whether Huddle should have been disqualified as her arms came out just before she hit the finish line.

Burundi’s Diane Nukuri was a distant third in 1:09:41, with Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack was the top European finisher in fourth in 1:10:44. Boston Marathon winner Caroline Rotich was fifth in 1:10:45.

In Portugal, Kenya’s Sammy Kitwara improved his personal best by one second when he won the Lisbon Half Marathon in 59:47 on Sunday.

Kitwara had an 11-second advantage over his compatriot and 2012 Africa 10,000m gold medallist Kenneth Kipkemoi coming into the final kilometre, after passing the 20km mark in 56:38, and he maintained that advantage all the way to the line.

Kipkemoi came home second in 1:00:05 with another Kenyan, Paul Lonyangata, third in 1:00:11.

In the women's race, the 2009 World 10,000m champion Linet Masai romped home third in 1:09:33, losing the three-way battle to Ethiopians Ruti Aga, who won in 1:09:16 with Wude Ayalew in 1:09:23.

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