Italian Man Surprises The Field, Wins Turin Marathon

The race was supposed to be entirely a Kenyan affair.

Ruggero Pertile won the 24th edition of the Turin Marathon on Sunday. The race had been built up as a showdown between Kenyans Benson Cherono and John Komen, so Pertile’s victory was a surprise. Running in wet and slippery conditions, 36-year-old Pertile’s finishing time was 2:10:58.

The Italian runner had placed fourth in the Euopean Championship’s in Barcelona. His marathon PR, 2:09:53, was achieved in last year’s Turin Marathon. Second place went to 20-year-old Lawrence Kimaiyo of Kenya (2:11:46). Habteselassie Lemma from Ethiopia took third place in 2:12:21.

“I have come back from a difficult 2009 year in which I ran 2:09:53 but then I underwent surgery last December. I have to thank my club Assindustria Sport Padova, my wife and my daughter Alice who were here to support me,” Pertile said. He then went on to note that the 2012 Olympic Marathon in London is in his plans.

Pertile became the first non-African winner in a major fall marathon this year.

Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya triumphed in the women’s race, running 2:27:02. Her time was the second-fastest time ever recorded in the Turin Marathon.

For More: IAAF