All-Time Top 10 Rankings of Marathon Runners as of end 2012

Men (downhill course  excluded)

Patrick Makau

1) 2:03:38 (WR) -  Patrick Makau MUSYOKI (KEN) - Berlin 25 Sept 2011
2) 2:03:42 -  Wilson Kipsang KIPROTICH (KEN) - Frankfurt 30 Oct 2011
3) 2:03:59 - Haile GEBRSELASSIE (ETH) - Berlin 28 Sep 2008
4) 2:04:15 (WL) - Geoffrey Kiprono MUTAI (KEN) - Berlin 30 Sep 2012
5) 2:04:16 (debut) - Dennis Kipruto KIMETTO (KEN) - Berlin 30 Sep 2012 (2nd placing)
6) 2:04:23 (debut) - Ayele ABSHERO (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan 2012
7) 2:04:27 -  Duncan Kibet KIRONG (KEN) - Rotterdam 05 Apr 2009
7) 2:04:27 - James Kipsang KWAMBAI (KEN) - Rotterdam 05 Apr 2009 (2nd placing)
9) 2:04:38 - Tsegaye KEBEDE (ETH) - Chicago 07 Oct 2012
10) 2:04:40 - Emmanuel Kipchirchir MUTAI (KEN) - London 17 Apr 2011


Men (downhill course, not ratified by IAAF)

Geoffrey Mutai

1) 2:03:02 (Fastest ever) - Geoffrey Kiprono MUTAI (KEN) - Boston 18 Apr 2011
2) 2:03:06 (debut) - Mosese Cheruiyot MOSOP (KEN) - Boston 18 Apr 2011 (2nd placing) 
3) 2:04:53 - Gebregziabher GEBREMARIAM (ETH) - Boston 18 Apr 2011 (3rd placing)




Women

Paula Radcliffe

1) 2:15:25 (WR) - Paula RADCLIFFE (GBR) - London 13 Apr 2003
2) 2:18:20 -  Liliya SHOBUKHOVA (RUS) - Chicago 09 Oct 2011
3) 2:18:37 (WL) - Mary Jepkosgei KEITANY (KEN) - London 22 Apr 2012
4) 2:18:47 - Catherine NDEREBA (KEN) - Chicago 07 Oct 2001
5) 2:18:58 - Tiki GELANA (ETH) - Rotterdam 15 Apr 2012
6) 2:19:12 - Mizuki NOGUCHI (JPN) - Berlin 25 Sep 2005
7) 2:19:19 - Irina MIKITENKO (GER) - Berlin 28 Sep 2008
8) 2:19:31 - Aselefech MERGIA (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan 2012
9) 2:19:34 - Lucy Wangui KABUU (KEN) - Dubai 27 Jan 2012 (2nd placing)
10) 2:19:36 - Deena KASTOR (USA) - London 23 Apr 2006

Some of the world's New Marathon Course Records set in the year 2012

Men :
2012
07 Jan - 2:07:37 - Xiamen -  Peter Kamais (KEN)
15 Jan - 2:06:51 - Houston - Tariku Jafar (ETH)
27 Jan - 2:04:23 - Dubai -  Ayele Abshero (ETH)
05 Jan - 2:11:27 - Hong Kong  - Dejere Abera (ETH)
18 Mar -2:05:37 - Seoul - Wilson Loyanae Erupe (KEN)
08 Apr - 2:07:57 - Daegu, S Korea - David Kemboi Kiyeng (KEN)
24 Jun - 2:14:46 -  Kuala Lumpur - Kennedy Kiproo Lilan (KEN)
16 Sep - 2:11:52 - Sydney -  Yuki Kawauchi (JPN)
07 Oct - 2:04:38 - Chicago - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH)
07 Oct - 2:07:01 - Košice, Slovakia - Lawrence Kimaiyo (KEN)
14 Oct - 2:05:46 - Eindhoven  - Dickson Chumba (KEN)
21 Oct - 2:04:41 - Amsterdam - Wilson Chebet (KEN)
21 Oct - 2:06:46 - Gyeongju, S. Korea - Wilson Loyanai (KEN)
04 Nov - 2:05:50 - JoongAng Seoul - James Kipsang Kwambai (KEN)
11 Nov - 2:11:35 - Athens - Raymond Bett (KEN)
25 Nov - 2:11:52 - Osaka - Serod Batochir (Mongolia)
25 Nov - 2:21:14 - Kobe - Kensuke Takahashi (JPN)
02 Dec - 2:09:01 -  Shanghai - Sylvester Kimeli Teimet (KEN)

Women:
2012
15 Jan - 2:23:14 - Houston - Alemitu Abera (ETH)
05 Feb - 2:30:12 - Hong Kong - Misiker Demissie (ETH)
26 Feb - 2:25:28 - Tokyo - Atsede Habtamu (ETH)
08 Apr - 2:24:57 - Daegu - Alemitu Abera Begna (ETH)
21 Oct - 2:21:09 - Amsterdam  - Meseret Hailu (ETH)
28 Oct - 2:21:01 - Frankfurt - Meselech MELKAMU (ETH)
18 Nov - 2:23:07 - Yakohama - Lydia Cheromei (KEN)
25 Nov - 2:39:52 - Kobe - Yui Ouchi (JPN)
02 Dec - 2:23:07 - Shanghai - Feyse Tadesse Boru (ETH)

Top 10 World Leading marathon runners as of end of the year 2012

2012 Top 10 Leading Marathon Men  [WR 2:03:38 Patrick Makau (KEN) Berlin 2011]

1) 2:04:15 (WL) - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) - Berlin 30 Sep
2) 2:04:16 (debut) - Dennis Kimetto (KEN) - Berlin 30 Sep (2nd placing)
3) 2:04:23 (debut) - Ayele Abshiro (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan
4) 2:04:38 (PB) - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) - Chicago 07 Oct
5) 2:04:44 - Wilson Kipsang (KEN) - London 22 Apr
6) 2:04:48 (PB) - Yemane Adhane (ETH) - Rotterdam 15 Apr
7) 2:04:50 (PB) - Dino Sefir (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan (2nd placing)
7) 2:04:50 (PB)  - Getu Feleke (ETH) - Rotterdam 15 Apr (2nd placing)
9) 2:04:52 (PB) - Feyisa Lelisa (ETH) - Chicago 07 Oct (2nd placing)
10) 2:04:54 (PB) - Markos Geneti (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan (3rd placing)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2012 Top 10 Leading Marathon Women  [WR 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) London 2003]

1) 2:18:37 (PB) (WL) - Mary Keitany (KEN) - London 22 Apr
2) 2:18:58 (PB) - Tiki Gelana (ETH) - Rotterdam 15 Apr
3) 2:19:31 (PB) - Aselefech Mergia (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan
4) 2:19:34 (PB) - Lucy Kabuu (KEN) - Dubai 27 Jan (2nd placing)
5) 2:19:50 (PB) - Edna Kiplagat (KEN) - London 22 Apr (2nd placing)
6) 2:19:52 (PB) - Mare Dibaba (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan (3rd placing)
7) 2:20:14 (PB) - Priscilla Cheptoo (KEN) - London 22 Apr (3rd placing)
8) 2:20:30 (PB) - Bizunesh Bekele (ETH) - Dubai 27 Jan (4th placing)
8) 2:20:30 (PB) - Aberu Kebede (ETH) - Berlin 30 Sep
10) 2:20:57 - Florence Kiplagat (KEN) - London 22 Apr (4th placing)

2013 Calendar of some local running events

06 Jan - Multi-Purpose Insurans Run 2013, Padang Merbuk, K. Lumpur
27 Jan - Penang Run 2013, USM, Penang 

03 Feb - Melawati 10k Run 2013 , Hulu Kelang
23 Feb - 4th USM Open Relay, Penang 
 
03 Mar - Brooks Half Marathon 2013, National Stadium Bukit Jalil. Registration
17 Mar - Malakoff Penang 2013, Esplanade.   Registration
31 Mar - MAKNA Founder's Run 2013, Padang Merbuk, K.L. Registration
 

07 Apr - Malaysia Women Marathon, Shah Alam, Selangor. Registration
14 Apr - Kuala Lumpur 10K Road Race 2013 , Padang Merbok, K.L.
21 Apr - The Island Ocean Marathon 2013, Tanjung Malai, Langkawi, Kedah
21 Apr - KL International Jazz Earth Day Run 2013 , Universiti Malaya
28 Apr - Bidor Half Marathon 2013, Bidor, Perak


05 May - Penang Open Cross Country, Teluk Kumbar 
12 May - Penang Run 2013-2014 [Stage 1 of 4 : Esplanade to Teluk Kumbar 21km]
12 May - Larian Hari Keputeraan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Registration

01 Jun - 30th ASJC (Alor Setar Jogging Club) Half Marathon, Alor Setar.
09 Jun - Mizuno Wave Run 2013
16 Jun - KWYP Penang Hill Climb 
16 Jun - Muar Cross Country 21km Run 
23 Jun [postponed] - The 10th Olympic Day Fun Run 2013, Dataran Merdeka , K.L.
29 Jun - Larian Bendang Kedah, Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar. 21km, 7km, 3km
30 Jun [postponed to 29 September] - Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 

07 July - Penang Run 2013-2014 [Stage 2 of 4 :Teluk Kumbar to Sg Pinang 21km]
07 July - Peace Run 2013, Youth Park Penang. 6km
07 July - Ipoh International Run
07 July - Seremban Half Marathon  
07 July - Feel Good Run 2013, Sri Pentas, Bandar Utama, P.J.
14 July -  Pisang Relay Penang 2013, Straits Quay, Penang

14 July - Pacemaker Anniversary Run 9, Tapak A, Lake Garden, K.L.
21 Jul -  56th Penang Chinese Cross Country Run 2013 Chung Ling High School, Penang  (2013年度第56届全槟华人越野赛跑)

18 Aug - New Balance Half Marathon 2013 @Setia Alam
25 Aug - Borneo International Marathon 2013, K. Kinabalu, Sabah
25 Aug - Tanjung 10km Run , Jalan Sepoy Lines, Penang 
25 Aug - JSP City Run 2013, Bukit Mertajam
30 Aug - DELTA ECO Night Run , Youth Park, Penang 

01 Sep - The River Jungle Marathon 2013, Hulu Langat, Selangor
01 Sept - 5th Penang KOMTAR Tower Run 2013
01 Sep - Kidney Run 2013, i-City, Shah Alam, Selangor
07 Sep - Shape Night Run '13, Putrajaya
07 Sep - Tropicana Golf Course Nite Race 2013, 7pm, 8.5km, P.Jaya 
08 Sep -  Run For Peace 2013, 6km, Han Chiang High School, Penang
08 Sep - 30KM Back to Basic, Mardi, Serdang, Selangor
14 Sep - SP Half Marathon 2013, Sungai Petani, Kedah 
14 Sep - The Most Beautiful Thing TMBT 2013, downtown Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
15 Sep - Great Eastern Live Great Run 2013, Menara Matrade, K. Lumpur 
15 Sep (NEW DATE) -  The 10th Olympic Day Fun Run 2013, Dataran Merdeka , K.L.
21 Sep - IMU Charity Run 2013, Bukit Jalil, K.Lumpur
22 Sep - RHB Centennial Run, 10km, Esplanade, Penang
28 Sep - Larian Jambatan Sultan Mahmud 2013, Kuala Terengganu 
29 Sep (NEW DATE) -  Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 
 29 Sep - Charity ICE Run 2013, Matic, Jalan Ampang,K. Lumpur. 13km

06 Oct  - 2013 KRI Annual Road Race, Ipoh. 10km and 21km
06 Oct  - KWYP City Run, Komtar, Penang
13 Oct - Penang Run 2013-2014 [Stage 3 of 4 : Sg Pinang to Teluk Bahang 14km]
13 Oct - MBN Unity Run,Esplanade, Penang
13 Oct - The Pink Charity Run 2013, Klang 
13 Oct - Back 2 Endurance 2013 Ultra, Lake Garden Perdana, K.Lumpur
13 Oct - BHP Orange Run 2013, 11km
19 Oct - BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon
20 Oct - adidas KOTR, Petaling Jaya
27 Oct - Rock To Rock Run, 10.2km, Batu Feringgi, Penang 

03 Nov - AMSA Diabetes Run 2013, 8km, UPM, Serdang, Selangor
10 Nov - Larian Merdeka 2013, Penang Time Squares, Penang. 10km
10 Nov (new date) - Charity ICE Run 2013, Matic, Jalan Ampang, K. L.
17 Nov - PBIM 2013
23/24 Nov - Putrajaya Ultra Challenge 2013
24 Nov - Penang Beach Run, Batu Feringgi.
24 Nov - Park City Run 2013, K. Lumpur 

01 Dec - Team Malaysia Fan Run 2013, Dataran Putrajaya, Presint 3, Putrajaya, 15km, 10km
01 Dec [new date] - CICM Responsible Care Run 2013, Putrajaya.
01 Dec - Terry Fox Run Kuala Lumpur 2013, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa
08 Dec - PAAA Round The Island Relay , Esplanade Penang 
15 Dec - Takasima Run 2013, Penang  Science Park, Bukit Minyak, 12km
15 Dec - Mizuno Pacesetters Relay 2013, MAEPS/Mardi, Serdang, Selangor
29 Dec - Newton Challenge 2013, Puchong, Selangor. 15km, 25km


14 Jan 2014 - Penang Run 2013-2014 [Stage 4 of 4 : Teluk Bahang to Esplanade 21km]


 NR's of the 2 local Road Running events as of 30 June 2013 as per official website of MAF
http://www.maf.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

Marathon
M - 2:25:07 - Woo Chan Yew (Home state Perak and currently based in USA) - Duluth (USA) 17 June 2012
W - 2:49:28 - Yuan Yu Fang (Malaysian [KL] born in Beijing) - K.Lumpur 30 Apr 2000
Half Marathon
M - 1:06:57 - M. Ramachandran (Johor) - K. Terengganu Sept 1997
W - 1:15:58 - Yuan Yu Fang - Terengganu 11 Sep 1999

A glance at the top finishers of the 4 marathon races held in Fukuoka, Singapore, Shanghai and Macau this morning 2 Dec 2012

Fukuoka International Marathon 

Men [CR 2:05:18 Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 2009]
1) 2:06:58 (PB) - Joseph Gitau (KEN)
2) 2:08:24 - Hiroyuki Horibata (JPN)
3) 2:08:42 - Henryk Szost (POL)
[Haile Gebrselassie DNF] 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore

 Men [CR 2:11:25 - Luke Kibet (KEN) 2009]
1) 2:17:21 - Lilan Kennedy Kiproo (KEN) 
2) 2:17:26 - Luke Kibet (KEN)
3) 2:17:31 - Samon Kiprono Barmao (KEN) 

Women [CR 2:31:55 - Salina Kosgei (KEN) 2006]
1) 2:37:54 - Irene Jerotich Kosgei (KEN)
2) 2:37:57 - Flomena Cheyech Daniel (KEN)
3) 2:38:34 - Alina prokopeva (RUS)



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shanghai International Marathon

Men 
 1) 2:09:01 (CR) - Sylvester Kimeli Teimet (KEN)
2) 2:09:03 - Balcha Teferi Kebede (ETH)
3) 2:09:05 - Biwott Stanley Kipleting (KEN) 

Women
1) 2:23:07 (CR) - Feyse Tadesse Boru (ETH)
2) 2:24:09 - Ashu Kasim (ETH)
3) 2:24:17 - Margaret Agai (KEN)


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon 

Men [CR 2:12:49 - Stephen Kwelio Chemlany (KEN) 2011]
1) 2:23:56 - Heile Haja Gemeda (ETH)
2) 2:24:00 - Duncan Cheruiyot Koech (KEN)

3) 2:24:11 - Gezahegn Alemayehu Abebe (ETH)

Women [CR 2:31:28- Rose Jepkemboi Chesire (KEN) 2011]
1) 2:50:10 - Ehitu Kiros Reda (ETH)
2) 2:51:04 - Tsega Gelaw Reta (ETH)
3) 2:52:21 - Kemunto Mogaka (KEN)

Competitors ran 3km extra due to a Marshalling error 

Bolt named World Athlete of the Year for the 4th time in 5 years while Felix wins the women's award for the first time

Fastest person ever, reigning triple Olympic champion in sprints and five-time world champion Usain Bolt, 26,  of Jamaica was named  the 2012 IAAF World Athlete of the Year  for the 4th time after 2008, 2009 and 2011 over hurdler Aries Merritt (USA) and runner David Rudisha (KEN)

Allyson Felix, 27, from Los Angeles, USA was awarded the 2012 Female World Athlete of the Year title for the first time. She won three gold medals in 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m at the London Olympics, first women athlete to win three golds in a single Olympics games since 1988.

Both the sprinters also carried away cash prize of USD100,000.


The awards were hosted by International Athletic Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and IAF & IAAF President Lamine Diack, who presented the trophies to the Female and Male winners respectively.

The other awards announced in the final day of the IAAF's 100th anniversary celebration held in Barcelona yesterday were:

David Rudisha (KEN) – Male Performance of the Year 
USA Olympic 4x100m Relay team - Female Performance of the Year 
Aries Merritt (USA) - IAAF Inspiration Award 
Keshorn Walcott (TRI) - Male Rising Star 
Antonique Strachan (BAH) - Female Rising Star 
Rob Lida (USA) - Male Master Athlete 
Lynn Ventris (AUS) - Female Master Athlete


Ref. IAAF

2:11:35 (CR) - Raymond Bett leads 6 Kenyans to top 6 placings in 30th Athens Classic Marathon yesterday

 Raymond Bett led 6 fellow Kenyan countrymen among 9,500 runners to win the top 6 places of the 30th edition of the Athens Classic Marathon in a new course record time of 2:11:35 beating the previous record  of 2:11:40 set by Abdelkrim Boubker of Morocco. He was the winner here 2 years ago.

Another Kenyan Chemtai Yadaa won the women's title in 2:40:00 (CR 2:31:06 Rasa Drazdauskaite (LTU) 2010)

There were a total of 26,000 participants in all races

The hilly route of Athens Classic Marathon is the original marathon course created for the inaugural 1896 modern Olympics

Top finishers:
Men
1) 2:11:35 (CR) - Raymond Bett (KEN)
2) 2:12:20 - Paul Kosgei (KEN)
3) 2:12:26 - Alex Kirui (KEN)
Women
1) 2:40:0 - Chemtai Yadaa (KEN)
2) 2:40:07 - Svitlana Stanko (UKR)
3) 2:40:28 - Viola Chelangat Kimetto (KEN)

Tokyo Marathon 2013 will be added as the 6th WMM race

The Tokyo Marathon 2013 will be added as the 6th member of the World Marathon Majors (WMM)  after Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York and will kick off the 2013 WMM series on 24 February followed by Boston on 15 April, London on 21 April, Berlin on 29 September, Chicago in October and New York in November.

The Tokyo Marathon has been one of the world's largest mass marathon races and is currently attracting about 300,000  runners for the 36,000 slots at the Start with about 10% foreigners.

The Tokyo course records of 2:07:23 for men and 2:25:28 for women are currently held by Viktor Rothlin of Switzerland in 2008 and Atsede Habtamu of Ethiopia in 2012 respectively

2:05:46 - New Course Record again in Eindhoven Marathon by Kenyan Chumba

Dickson Kiptolo Chumba of Kenya  won the 29th De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven   , the third larges marathon in Holland, this morning in another new course record time of 2:05:46 (PB), beating the old record by a mere two-second margin set by compatriot Jafred Chirchir last year and lead a 1-2-3 Kenyan sweep in the men's finishing.

Aberume Mekuria of Ethiopia won the women's race in her personal best time of 2:27:20

The top finishers:
Men
1) 2:05:46 (CR) (PB) - Dickson Chumba (KEN)
2) 2:06:11 - Franklin Chepkwony (KEN)
3) 2:06:17 - Erick Ndiema (KEN)
Women
1) 2:27:20 (PB) - Aberume Mekuri (ETH)
2) 2:28:18 - Miranda Boonstra (NED)
3) 2:30:31 - Dinkenesh Mekasha (ETH)

2:04:38 (CR) - Tsegaye Kebede leads 1-2-3 Ethiopian sweep in Chicago Marathon and Baysa makes Ethiopian Double in close finish

Tsegaye Kebede won the 35th BOA Chicago Marathon  2012 this morning, the first Ethiopian to do so in Chicago, breaking the course record of 2:05:37 set by Moses Mosop of Kenya last year in a new course record time of 2:04:38 (PB) which ranks 4th in World Leading behind Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya (2:0415 Berlin), Dennis Kimetto of Kenya (2:04:16 Berlin) and Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia (2:04:23 Dubai).
Fellow countrymen Feyisa Lilesa and Tilahun Regassa finished closely behind in second and third in 2:04:52 and 2:05:27 respectively, all under the old course record and  making an Ethiopian clean sweep in men's category.

Atsede Baysa made a double for Ethiopia when she narrowly defeated Rita Jeptoo of Kenya at the tape in 2:22:03 by a one-second margin. Another Kenyan Lucy Kabuu came in third followed by the defending champion  Liliya Shobukhova of Russia who has won the last three titles here in a row including the superb 2:18:20 triumph which made her the second fastest women in marathon all time behind Paula Radcliffe who incidentally still holds the Chicago course record of 2:17:18 in 2002.

There were about 45,000 participants in this event.

Top 3 finishers:
Men
1) 2:04:38 (CR) (PB) - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH)
2) 2:04:52 - Feyisa Lilesa (ETH)
3) 2:05:27 - Tilahun Regassa (ETH)

Women [CR - 2:17:18 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2002]
1) 2:22:03 - Atsede Baysa (ETH)
2) 2:22:04 - Rita Jeptoo (KEN)
3) 2:22:41 - Lucy Kabuu (KEN)

 

Half Marathon World record holder Zersenay Tadese wins the World Championships for the 5th time in Kavarna this morning

As anticipated half marathon world record (58:23) holder Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea won the World Half Marathon Championships title for the 5th time in Kavarna, Bulgaria this morning in 1:00:19 under hot and humid conditions.

Results of top 3 finishers in the Men's and Women's Individual and Team categories are :

 Men :
Champions : Zersenay Tadese (ERI) - 1:00:19
2nd : Deressa Chimsa (ETH) - 1:00:51
3rd : John Nzau Mwangangi (KEN) - 1:01:01

++++++++

Meseret Hailu 

Women:
Champions : Meseret Hailu (ETH) - 1:08:55 (PB)
2nd : Feyse Tadese (ETH) - 1:08:56
3rd : Paskalia Chepkorir Kipkoech (KEN) - 1:09:04

+++++

Teams
Men
Champions : Kenya - 3:03:52
2nd : Eritrea - 3:04:41
3rd : Ethiopia - 3:05:43


Women
Champions : Ethiopia - 3:27:52
2nd : Kenya - 3:28:39
3rd : Japan - 3:34:45


Official results from IAAF : http://iaaf.org/Mini/WHM12/Results/Results.aspx

World Record holder Tadese to chase 5th world title at IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Kavarna tomorrow

The 2012  IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, to be held at the Black Sea coast resort town of Kavarna, Bulgaria on 9 October, will see half marathon world record holder Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea seeking his 5th world title after failing to do so in a row when he was narrowly defeated by Wilson Kiprop of Kenya at Nanning 2010 in China.

The annual IAAF World Half Marathon Championships was inaugurated in 1992. In 2006 it was replaced by IAAF World Road Running Championships with a reduced distance of 20km and on the following year of 2007 the distance was brought back to the half marathon distance of 21.0975km. Similarly the original name of World Half Marathon Championships was restored as from 2008.
The Kavarna 2012 will be the 20th edition after Nanning 2010 with a break in 2011.

30-year old Tadese has won four consecutive Championships titles viz :
2006 Debrecen, Hungary 56:01 (20km)
2007 Udine, Italy 58:59 [Championships Record]
2008 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 59:56
2009 Birmingham, England 59:35

However he finished a close second in 1:00:11 behind Wilson Kiprop (KEN) who won in 1:00:07 in 2010 Nanning.

Tadese will face stiff competitions from the Kenyans, who have won the five previous team titles, in Eliud Kipchoge, 27 (PB 59:25), Pius Kirop, 22, (PB 59:25), and Stephen Kibet Kosgei, 25, (PB 58:54)

An attractive prize purse of USD245,000 awaits the Men and Women top finishers in the Individual and Team categories as follows:

 Individual: (USD)
1st - 30,000
2nd - 15,000
3rd - 10,000
4th - 7,000
5th - 5,000
6th - 3,000


Teams : (USD)
1st - 15,000
2nd - 12,000
3rd - 9,000
4th - 7,500
5th - 6,000
6th - 3,000

Apart from the above cash prizes, there is also an incentive World Record bonus offer of USD50,000

Men's Start List - Ref.  IAAF :
http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/06/79/10/67910_PDF_English.pdf

Women's Start List - Ref. IAAF :
http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/06/79/11/67911_PDF_English.pdf


Statistics of Half Marathon (21.0975km)
World Records :
M - 58:23 - Zersenay Tadese (ERI) Lisbon 2010
W - 1:05:50 - Mary Keitany (KEN) Ras Al Khaimah 2011
World Leadings :
M - 58:47 - Atsedu Tsegay (ETH) Prague 31 Mar 2012
W - 1:06:38 - Florence Jebet Kiplagat (KEN) Ostia 25 Feb 2012

Championships  Records:
M - 58:59 - Zersenay Tadese (ERI)  Udine, Italy 2007
W - 1:06:5 - Lornah Kiplagat (NED) Udine, Italy 2007

2:04:15 (WL) - Mutai narrowly beats Kimetto at the Berlin Marathon finish today

Favourite Geoffrey Mutai (KEN), 31, who ran ‘the fastest marathon ever run’ of 2:03:02 (2:55/km pace) at the 20112 Boston Marathon (a course which is not ratified by IAAF for  world record consideration due to its elevation drop and point-to-point measurements ), won the 39th Berlin Marathon this morning under fine weather conditions of 10 deg C during the start.

He narrowly beat his compatriot and training partner Dennis Kimetto, 28, making his marathon debut, with a time of 2:04:15 (fastest this year), just 38 seconds shy of the world record of 2:03:38 set by his countryman Patrick Makau on the same course 12 months ago. Kimetoo finished closely behind in 2:04:16, an all time fastest marathon debut  (Boston excluded).

Another dedutant Geoffrey Kipsang ,19, also from Kenya came in third in 2:06:12.

The Kenyan made a clean sweep of the men's top 8 positions followed by two Japanese.

The Ethiopian women dominated the women category by winning the top 2 positions through Aberu Kebede and Tirfi Tsegaye who finished in 2:20:30 and 2:21:19 respectively. Olena Shurhno of Ukraine was third in 2:23:32 .

There were 34,485 finishers among 40,000 entries and about 1 million spectators including 20,000 fans.

Top 10 finishers: http://results.scc-events.com/2012/?&pid=leaderboard 

Men
1) 2:04:15 (WL) - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN)
2) 2:04:16 - Dennis Kimetto (KEN) (Debutant)

3) 2:06:12 - Geoffrey Kipsang (KEN) (Debutant)
4) 2:08:28 - Nicholas Manza (KEN)
5) 2:08:41 - Josphate Keiyo (KEN)
6) 2:09:19 - Jonathan Kiplimo Maiyo (KEN)
7) 2:09:59 -  Eliud Kiptanui (KEN)
8) 2:10:22 - Felix Keny (KEN)
9) 2:11:31 -  Masakazu Fujiwara (JPN)
10) 2:11:46 - Suehiro Ishikawa (JPN)

Women

1) 2:20:30 - Aberu Kebede (ETH)
2) 2:21:19 - Tirfi Tsegaye (ETH)
3) 2:23:32 - Olena Shurhno (UKR)
4) 2:24:56 - Filomena Chepchirchir (KEN)
5) 2:25:14 - Fate Tola (ETH)
6) 2:28:45 - Alevtina Biktimirova (RUS)
7) 2:30:34 - Caroline Chepkwony (KEN)
8) 2:30:37 - Anna Hahner (GER)
9) 2:30:56 - Sonia Samuels (GBR)
10) 2:33:27 - Degefa Biruktayit (ETH)


Course records :
M - 2:03:38 (WR) Patrick Makau (KEN)  2011
W - 2:19:12 (AR) Mizuki Noguchi (JPN)  2005


With this victory, Geoffrey Mutai becomes the winner of the 2011/12 World Marathon Major (WMM) title which carries a prize jackpot of USD500,000 even with 2 races remaining in Chicago and New York