media_artricles :: 2016

Kenyans claim TT Marathon crowns

Kenyan distance runners, Mark Kipkosgei Chepses and Leah Kigen bettered their respective third place finishes at last year’s edition of the Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon when they strutted to the 2016 men and women’s titles at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

Chepses conquered the challenging 26.2 mile course which commenced at St Mary’s Junction, Freeport, in two hours, 28 minutes and 58 seconds (2:28:58.2).

The lanky Kenyan crossed the finish line just before 7.30am and in the process eclipsed 2015 champion Juan Cardona Rios (Colombia) who settled for the runner-up spot in 2:29:08.8. TT - based Guyanese runner, Kelvin Johnson (2:41:43.7) completed the course in third place while famed local long distance specialist Curtis Cox (2:47:20) was fourth overall. Another local runner, Cantius Thomas rounded off the top-five marathon finishers in 2:58:42.2.

Kigen was an impressive sixth overall while capturing the top position among the women.

She finished just on the heels of Thomas in 2:58:42.7. The TT women were also proudly represented on the podium as 53-yearold Christine Regis (3:22:38.4) held on to the runner-up spot, Camille Hernandez (3:57.52.8) was third, while Arlene Nichols Saffian (4:15:24.3) and Abigail Bodington (4:23:24.1) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Speaking to Chepses after his enduring golden showing, he expressed relief with his performance and was pleased to come out on top this time around.

“The race was very good and the weather was very nice because last year was very hot,” said the 39-year-old.

“I’ve been running this race for the last five years and I’ve placed second three times and was third last year. This year I’ve won and am very happy. I trained twice a day, Monday to Friday, for this event. I hope to defend my title next year as well.” The 37-year-old Kigen also credited the cooler temperature for her supreme race and credited race organisers for a job well done.

“The race was not bad and it was not as challenging as other years,” she explained. “I came third last year because of an injury in my leg that’s why I couldn’t perform fully. I’m feeling good this year because the course was flat and while running, the security was good, there were no vehicles disturbing us and the arrangement of this event was really good for runners to compete.” She added: “Yes, I have to come back to defend and fight for my title. While running the course, you never know who is the winner because there can be persons five minutes behind you and they can still catch you. Anything can happen on the way so I thank God that I not only finished the race, but also won as well.” In the walker’s division, local males Ian Birch (4:34:36.6) and Cleve Pile (4:46:12.4) topped the field. Winning the relay category was Team Olympians (2:26:47.4), led by Nicholas Landeau, while Defence Force Athletic Team (2:30:53.9/Cliffton Sylvester) and GEB and Friends Roadrunners (2:56:34.3/Orville Melville) grabbed silver and third in that order. Rounding off the top five relay finishers were Homo Sapiens (2:58:40.8/Jonah Camps) and a joint Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee squad (3:03:56.6) led by Levi Jackson.

Top 10 Male Finishers 1. Mark Chepses (2:28.58/Kenya); 2. Juan Carlos Cardona Rios (2:29.08/Colombia); 3.

Kelvin Johnson (2:41.43/TT); 4. Curtis Cox (2:47.20/TT); 5. Cantius Thomas (2:58.42/ TT); 6. Michael Honore (3:00.08/TT); 7.

Danny Ferreira (3:03.41/TT); 8. Javan Lynch (3:18.31/TT); 9. Christopher Sutherland (3:19.26/TT); 10. Nigel Simon (3:21.09).

Top 5 Female Finishers 1. Leah Kigen (2:58.43/Kenya); 2. Christine Regis (3:22.38/TT); 3. Camille Hernandez (3:57.52/TT); 4. Arlene Nichols Saffian (4:15.24/TT); 5. Abigail Bodington (4:23.24/ TT).

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