Monyenye Wins California International Marathon

The race was decided in the 19th mile.

No big surprise in Sacramento this weekend as a Kenyan and an Ethiopian won the men’s and women’s divisions of the California International Marathon last Sunday. The first person to break the tape was Erick Monyenye in two hours, eleven minutes, and 50 seconds.

The 24-year-old thought the race was too slow at mile 19 and so he dropped into another gear.

Nobody went with him.

“The first half we went slow, so slow,” Monyenye said. “I saw that I was so strong, I decided to push.”

After his decisive move, Monyenye was confident the win was all his. “I knew because I pushed,” Monyenye said. “I tried to push with them. They don’t respond, so I decided to go alone.”

The Kenyan admits he was really strong going into the race and credits his altitude training in Mexico for the win.

In the women’s race, Serkalem Biset Abrha of Ethiopia prevailed in 2:33:40.

“It’s nice,” Biset Abrha said. “Very happy.”

For More: Sac Bee