Kiprotich in top three finish at the Hamburg Marathon

 

 

Past World and Olympic Champion Stephen Kiprotich put up a strong performance in Germany to finish third in the Hamburg Marathon.

 

Last year, he finished in a distant fifth position but today it was different as Kiprotich managed a third-place finish.

 

Ethiopia's Tadu Abate finished in the first position in 2:08:26 and fellow countryman Ayele Abshero came second in 2:08:27.

 

Kiprotich then came third in 2:08:32. The 30-year-old led for the most part of the 42.195km race but dropped to the third position at the 40km mark

 

Uganda's Robert Chemonges in the same race finished 6th in 2:10:00. This earned him Euros 1,000 (about sh4.18m) in prize money from the Euros 300,000 (about sh1.25b) set aside for elite runners while Kiprotich bagged Euros 15,000 (about sh62.62m)  for his resilient performance.

 

In the women's race, Uganda's Linet Toroitich finished 8th in 2:32:05. Ethiopia's Dibabe Kuma finished first in 2:24:42, Kenya's Magdalyne Masai came second in 2:26:04 and Tanzania's Failuna Matanga came third in 2:27:56.

 

Kipchoge shines

 

In London, Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge was unstoppable as he ran the second fastest marathon in history in 2:02:37 which was only 59 seconds short of his world record standing at 2:01:39.

 

The 34 years old becomes the first man to win four London Marathons. Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew finished second in 2:02:55 and Mule Wasihun also from Ethiopia came third in 2:03:16 in the 42.195km race.

 

In the women's race, Kenya's Brigid finished first in 2:18:20 and becomes the youngest female London marathon winner at 25 years.

 

Defending Champion Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot came second in 2:20:14 and Roza Dereje of Ethiopia came third in 2:50:51.

 

Prize Money -Men

 

Tadu Abate (Ethiopia) 25,000 Euros

Ayele Abshero (Ethiopia) 15,000 Euros

Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda) 10,000 Euros

Jiksa Tolosa (Ethiopia) 5,000 Euros

Lucas Rotich (Kenya) 3,000 Euros

Robert Chemonges (Uganda) 1,000 Euros