Kotut, Jepkesho claim Paris marathon titles

Kenyans sweep podium

PARIS, April 3, (AFP): Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut won Sunday’s 40th edition of the Paris marathon, adding to his victory in the half-marathon here less than a month ago.

Kotut, 24, finished in an official time of 2hr 07min 11sec, well short of Kenenisa Bekele’s course record from two years ago, but comfortably clear of his previous personal from his debut in Milan last year.

Kotut was one of eight runners in contention after 35 kms, before Ethiopia’s Gebretsadik Abraha upped the pace heading into the final 4km.

Kotut then pulled clear shortly afterwards and held off his rivals as he cruised across the line unchallenged, with fellow Kenyans Laban Korir and Stephen Chemlany joining him on the podium.

“I wasn’t too sure if I needed to speed up or not because I still don’t really know the course layout. I simply planned to beat my own personal record,” said Kotut, competing in just his second marathon.

“There were still some really strong guys, I didn’t expect to be as far ahead.”

Visiline Jepkesho, also of Kenya, claimed the women’s title in 2hr 25min 53sec, ahead of Ethiopian pair Gulume

Chala and Dinknesh Tefera.

Jepkesho actually ran a slower time than when she finished third in last year’s race and was almost five minutes behind the course mark set by Boru Tadese of Ethiopia in 2013.

Security was on high alert in the French capital following terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels, but Sunday’s race, which according to organisers featured just over 46,000 runners, took place without incident in sunny conditions.