James Kwambai Makes Comeback
The Kenyan set a new course record in Seoul.
On Sunday, James Kipsang Kwambai repeated his victory at the JoongAng Seoul Marathon. The 29-year-old blazed a 2:05:50 to win the race–a full two minutes and 23 seconds faster than Jason Mbote’s course record that was logged six years ago.
The men’s race was stacked with 16 runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco Tanzania and Eritrea. From the starting gun it was a hard-fought battle.
Stephen Kosgei Kibet of Kenya and Ethiopian Afewerk Mesfin were the race’s early pacemakers.
After 30K, the pack had narrowed down to just Kibet and Kwambai.
Second place went to William Chebon Chebor of Kenya who finished nearly five minutes behind Kwambai. Benjamin Kolum Kiptoo, also of Kenya, took third.
The women’s race was entirely a South Korean affair with runners from that country snagging the top-three slots.
Kyung-Hee Choi prevailed in 2:39:20, while Ho-Sun Park and Ji-Eun Kim took second and third respectively.
Over 14,000 runners from 11 countries took part in the race.
For More: IAAF