Misoi, Chepyego fly Kenyan flag high in Germany

Two-time StanChart Marathon winner Brimin Misoi yesterday took advantage to write another piece of history on a day that another Stanchart Nairobi Marathon was being run, to win the men’s race at Frankfurt Marathon.

Selly Chepyego completed the Kenyan party by winning the women’s race.

Both athletes made a break around 25km into their races on a warm and sunny morning, with Misoi going on to win the men’s event in a personal best time of 2:06:11 and 2014 World Half Marathon Championships bronze medallist Chepyego holding on to take the women’s title, her first marathon win, in 2:23:11.

In the men’s race, Misoi led a Kenyan 1-2 finish as he registered a new personal best time of 2:06:11, with compatriot Samuel Mailu finishing second in a time of 2:07:19, also his personal best time.

Kenyan podium sweep

Chepyego earned victory in the women’s race, clocking 2:23:11 while compatriot Hellah Kiprop finished second in a time of 2:24:39. Jackline Chepngeno completed a Kenyan podium sweep at third place after clocking 2:25:14.

Chepyego had been the fastest athlete on the women’s start list and while she struggled in the latter stages and ultimately missed her goal of breaking the 2:19:10 course record, she managed to maintain her advantage and won by almost a minute and a half ahead of Kiprop.

Misoi wasn’t considered one of the pre-race favourites but he ran a well-judged race to triumph by more than a minute ahead of pacemaker Mailu, who carried on to complete the full 42km in 2:07:19 on his debut at the distance.

This is the first time that Kenya managed a 1-2 finish in the race since 2013 when Vincent Kipruto lead a top five clean sweep for Kenyan athletes.

Misoi’s winning time was also the fifth fastest time ever in Frankfurt, just over two minutes shy from the course record.