I’m excited about beating my compatriot at the Lagos City Marathon, says Kiptom
Abraham Kiptom of Kenya, the overall winner of the 42km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday.
He said he was excited to have beaten his compatriot, Peter Kiplagat and other top world marathoners.
He told NAN at Eko Atlantic City, the finish point of the event that he was happy he won the race with a time of 2:16:20.
Kiptom said people were expecting Kiplaglat to win, but that the weather also worked in his favour.
“The race was not bad, I am happy I won the race and surprised people who thought my compatriot will win,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Kiptom, a Gold labelled marathoner, did not surpass the time of 2:11:36 set before the Lagos City Marathon.
Hosea Kipkeboi of Kenya came second with a time of 2:16:34 and Debebe Tolosa of Ethiopia came third with a time of 2:16:40.
The overall first female marathoner is Halima Hussain of Ethiopia, who came first with 2:38:36 and Alice Timbul of Kenya came second with a time of 2:38:49.
Aberash Fetase of Ethiopia returned 2:39:09 to place third.
The first Nigerian male is Philip Sharabutu with a time of 2:30:51, while Eliya Pam returned as the second Nigerian male athlete with a time of 2:31:41 and Peter Maham came third with a time of 2:39:07.
The first marathoner went home with $50,000, the second place winner carted home $40,000 and third place $30,000.
NAN reports that the race began at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos at 7.10 a. m., with no fewer than 20,000 marathoners.
The race went through Ikorodu road to link Oworonsoki, then passed through the Third Mainland Bridge and linked Victoria Island to the end point at Eko Atlantic City.
-NAN