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Published on July 16, 2007

In ideal conditions, more than 14,000 runners, including 850 in the full 42.195km marathon event, faced the starting gun from Chon Buri Governor Pracha Taerat at 4.20am. It was the biggest number ever to take part in the event, excluding those participating in the walk-and-run and run-for-health activities.

Kenyan runners led by Kemboi, who was making his debut in the meet, set an early pace, with Thailand's Boonchu Chandecha, the reigning SEA Games champion and the 2006 Khon Kaen Marathon winner, Kordeh Senmud and Amnuay Tongmitr hot on their heels.

At the 40km mark, the Kenyan runners broke away from the chasing pack. The long-striding Kemboi sprinted on the homestretch to cross the finish line in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes 35  seconds, breaking Japanese Kenichi Kawakubo's course record of 2:26.06 established in July 2, 2000.

Compatriots Phillip Kipsang Kipso (2:23.09), John Chir Turdei (2:23.20), Sammy Kitrop Kittoo (2:27.41), Richard Tiropssio Kessio (2:30.19) made it a grand 1-5 for Kenya.

Kordeh (2:33.39) came in seventh place overall, but was first among Thai runners. Amnuay (2:33.40) and Boonchu (2:34.15) finished second and third among Thais but in distant eighth and ninth places in the Overall category.

"Great to win. It's a fantastic course with splendid weather conditions. Fortunately, it's not that hot today, said Kemboi, 25, after the race. "This is my second visit to Thailand this year and also my second success in here.

"The route was very hilly and full of curves, but I had no problem running such a difficult route. I just concentrated on bettering the previous record. That's why I had to check my time on my wristwatch quite often while running," added Kemboi, who won the Khon Kaen Inter-national Marathon in January.

Kemboi landed the Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Trophy, the top prize money of Bt200,000 - the biggest cash prize ever given in a local marathon - plus a special cash prize of Bt50,000 for breaking the course record.

Meanwhile, Sunisa Sailomyen from Doi Om Koi in Chiang Mai made it a hat-trick of victories in the Pattaya Marathon yesterday.

Sunisa crossed the finish line in 2:58.28 to claim the trophy and a cash prize of Bt150,000, also the biggest purse for a women runner in local marathons. Compatriot Saifon Piawong (3:00.22) and Uzbekistan's Peregelleina Tagina (3:06.41) finished second and third respectively.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

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