U.S. Versus Kenya At Pittsburgh Marathon

American returning champion Jeffery Eggleston almost got the win.

The lion’s share of large-city races in the United States, events with lucrative purses, usually result in battles between rival Kenyans and Ethiopians. But at the Dicks Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon last weekend, this wasn’t the case.

Jeffrey Eggleston,  an American who won the race last year, narrowly lost to Kenya’s James Kirwa.

Kirwa’s winning time was two hours, 14 minutes, and 9 seconds. Eggleston crossed the finish line 17 seconds later. Third place went to Nixon Kiplagat of Kenya who ran 2:14:46.

During the race, Eggleston and Kirwa ran together and caught Kiplagat in the last mile.

Malika Mejdoub of Morocco won the women’s marathon in 2:39:30. Alemtsehay Misganaw and Hirut Beyene, both from Ethiopia, took second and third respectively.

The event also hosted a half marathon with Kenya’s Julius Koskei prevailing in 1:02:57. Julius Kogo, also from Kenya, came in second with 1:03:33. Ketema Nigusse of Ethiopia was third in 1:05:07.

Runners from 49 U.S. states and 12 countries took part in the event.

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