Kenyans win New Taipei City Wanjinshi Marathon

2015-03-24

Kenyan runners dominated the winner’s podium at the 2015 New Taipei City Wanjinshi International Marathon March 22 in northern Taiwan.

Eluid Kiplagat Barngetany and Josphat Kiptanui Too Chobei finished first and second in the men’s race with record-breaking performances of 2:13:14 and 2:15:51, respectively. Third went to the pair’s countryman Samuel Kalya at 2:18:30.

In the women’s race, Gladys Kipsoi of Kenya trumped the field with 2:39:32, trailed by Ethiopian Tigist Teshome Ayanu at 2:41:31 and Kenyan Ruth Wanjiru Kuria at 2:42:18.

The first ROC runners across the line were Ho Chin-ping, 2:30:16, and Chen Ya-fang, 3:08:32, in the men’s and women’s events, respectively. The former’s personal best time earned him a ticket to the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships.

“This year, the Wanjinshi marathon attracted over 12,000 participants, with 24 elite runners from 12 countries and territories vying for top honors,” New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu said.

“As of 2015, the marathon is Taiwan’s first-ever and only bronze-label event certified by the IAAF. I wish to share my joy in this accomplishment with runners from home and abroad, and expect to see more records set going forward.”

An official with event organizer New Taipei City Government said the race’s IAAF bronze-label status means local athletes will no longer have to travel abroad to qualify for the Olympics. “Our runners can now enjoy the same hometown advantage as their counterparts from such nations as France, Japan, the U.K. and U.S.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=228599&CtNode=413)