media_artricles :: 2018

Nero 19th in Canada marathon

T&T's leading distance runner Tonya Nero crossed the line in 19th place in the women's category at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Canada, yesterday.

She finished in two hours, 54 minutes and 56 seconds in an event that had some 25,000 athletes from over 60 countries participate. 

"For the first time in my life I ran an entire marathon at a steady pace.I'm grateful for the opportunity to race and grateful that all went well. Thanks to all who made it possible and thank God for the wonderful gift of running," said Nero in a Facebook post following the race.

With temperatures only slightly above freezing and a pesky wind blowing from the northwest, Benson Kipruto of Kenya and Mimi Belete of Bahrain in quick times.

Kipruto, who was on pace to better the event record of 2:06:52 two-thirds of the way through, made a successful late-race breakaway to win in 2:07:24. 

He defeated a host of world leading runners including 2012 Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich and two-time champion Philemon Rono to claim the title. The 27-year-old defeated Tanzanian Augustine Sulle followed by Kenyan Felix kandie and Kiprotich and Rono were in positions 7 the 9th resocetively timing 2:11.06. and 2:13.3

Belete won an intense, late-race battle with defending champion Marta Megra of Ethiopia, and broke the event record of 2:22:43 with her 2:22:29 clocking. Third was Ruth Chebitok of Kenya in 2:23:29.

It was Nero's second major race for the month after finishing 21st in the women's race at the inaugural Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff, Wales, on October 7. She completed the 13.1-mile course in 1:17.06

Top