2:07:37 - Michael Kipyego of Kenya won the Tokyo Marathon this mornng

Arata Fujiwara and Michael Kipyego

Michael Kipyego hit the tape


Kenya's Michael Kipkorir Kipyego won the 2012 Tokyo Marathon this morning with a time of 2:07:37, 14 seconds slower than the course record of 2:07:23 set by Viktor Rothlin of Switzerland in 2008.

However former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, seeking a London Olympic berth, finished a disappointing 4th in 2:08:17 behind second placed local Arata Fujiwara in 2:07:48 (PB) and 3rd placed Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda in 2:07:50.

Results:
Men
1) 2:07:37 - Michael Kipkorir Kipyero (KEN)
2) 2:07:48 (PB) - Arata Fujiwara (JPN)
3) 2:07:50 - Stephan Kiprotich (UGA)
4) 2:08:17 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH)
5) 2:08:32 - Viktor Rothlin (SUI)

Women
1) 2:25:28 (CR) - Atsede Habtamu (ETH)
2) 2:26:00 (PB) - Yeshi Esayias (ETH)
3) 2:26:02 - Helena Loshanyang Kirop (KEN)
4) 2:26:08 (PB) - Eri Okubo (JPN)

World's 10 Largest Marathon Finishers in 2011

World's top 10 Largest Marathon Finishers :

..... 2011...................................... [2010]
1) 46,759 - New York - 6 Nov ............ [44,977]
2) 35,670 - Chicago - 9 Oct .............. [36,088]
3) 34,656 - London - 17 Apr ............. [36,632]
4) 33,328 - Tokyo - 27 Feb ............... [30,170]
5) 32,997 - Berlin - 25 Sep ............... [34,002]
6) 31,133 - Paris - 10 Apr ................ [30,976]
7) 26,175 - Osaka - 30 Oct
8) 23,833 - Boston - 18 Apr .............. [22,672]
9) 20,895 - Marine Corps - 30 Oct ...... [21,944]
10) 20,103 - Kobe - 20 Nov

Ref. AIMS

Haile Gebrselassie to run in coming Sunday Tokyo Marathon in attempt for qualification 5th Olympic appearance

Haile previous marathon at Berlin 2011


Former marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie, 39, of Ethiopia will run the coming Sunday 26 Feb
2012 Tokyo Marathon to seek qualification for London 2012 Olympics after failing his previous attempt in last September's Berlin Marathon where he DNF due to a problem with his lungs.

Gebrselassie won 2 Olympic gold medals over 10,000m in 1996 and 2000.


+++++


However Haile will have to face stiff competitions in the Ethiopian Olympic selection from the up and coming young fellow runners, among them, the top 3 finishers in Dubai 4 weeks ago who clocked sub 2:05, viz Ayele Abshero in 2:04:23 (debut) (WL), Dino Sefir in 2:04:50 and Markos Geneti in 2:04:54 apart from Gebregziabher Gebremariam who has a PB of 2:04:53 Boston Apr 2011.

Updates of 2012 World Leading times in Marathon and Half-Marathon

Ayele Abshero
Aselefech Mergia
Feyisa Lilesa
Mary Keitany

Updates of fastest marathon and half marathon times in 2012 AS OF 19 February :

Marathon:
Men (WR 2:03:38 Patrick Makau (KEN) Berlin 2011)
2:04:23 - Ayele Abshero (ETH) Dubai Jan 27

Women (WR 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) London 2003)
2:19:31 - Aselefech Mergia (ETH) Dubai Jan 27



Half Marathon:
Men (WR 58:23 Zersenay Tadese (ERI) Lisbon 2010)
59:22 - Feyisa Lilesa (ETH) Houston Jan 15

Women (WR 1:05:50 Mary Keitany (KEN) RAK 2011)
1:06:42 - Mary Keitany (KEN) RAK Feb 17

Dennis Koech and Mary Keitany won the RAK Half Marathon this morning

Dennis Kipruto Koech
Mary Keitany


Results of the 6th RAK Half Marathon held this morning:

Men (WR 58:23 Zersenay Tadese (ERI) Lisbon 2010)
1) 1:00:40 - Dennis Kipruto Koech, 18 (KEN)
2) 1:00:49 - Azmeraw Bekele (ETH)
3) 1:01:01 - Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (KEN)
4) 1:01:29 - Bernard Kipyego (KEN)
5) 1:01:52 - Feyisa Lilesa (ETH)

(Geoffrey Mutai DNS)

Women (WR 1:05:50 Mary Keitany (KEN) RAK 2011)
1) 1:06:19 - Mary Keitany (KEN)
2) 1:09:13 - Geogina Rono (KEN)
3) 1:09:14 - Gladys Cherono (KEN)
4) 1:09:15 - Feyse Tedese (ETH)
5) 1:11:15 - Hilda Kibet (NED)

Geoffrey Mutai and Mary Keitany named AIMS World Athletes of the Year

Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya, 31, who ran the fastest marathon ever in 2:03:02 at the 2011 Boston Marathon and his female compatriot Mary Keitany, 30, who set the world Half Marathon record of 1:05:50 at the 2011 RAK Half Marathon were named AIMS World Athletes of the Year at Ras Al Khaimah of the United Arab Emirates yesterday in conjunction with the The 6th edition of RAK Half Marathon which is underway today.

2011 was a remarkable year for the Kenyans, Geoffrey Mutai also won the New York City Marathon in a new course record of 2:05:05 while Mary Keitany won the London Marathon in 2:19:19 making her the 5th fastest female marathoner in history.


Previous winners of the AIMS World Athlete of the Year Awards:
................ Men ......................... Women
2010 : Patrick Makau (KEN) ........... Not awarded
2009 : Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) ..... Mary Keitany (KEN)
2008 : Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) ......... Constantina Dita (ROM)
2007 : Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) ..... Lornah Kiplagat (NED)
2006 : Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) .... Lornah Kiplagat (NED)

Top marathon names to shine in RAK Half Marathon coming Friday

The 6th edition of RAK Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race and considered as one of the fastest half marathons in history, will see a strong field of elite marathoners when it takes off on coming Friday 17 February at Ras Al Khaimah of the United Arab Emirates.

Defending women's champion Mary Keitany of Kenya who set the World Half Marathon record of 1:05:50 here will be among the starters.

Other top contenders:

Men (WR 58:23 Zersenay Tadese (ERI) 2010)

Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) PB 59:30 (ran fastest marathon ever 2:03:02 - 2011)
Wilson Kipsang (KEN) PB 58:59 (4th fastest marathoner all time 2:03:42 - 2011)
Wilson Chebet (KEN) PB 59:15
Bernard Kipyego (KEN) PB 59:10
Lelisa Desisa (ETH) PB 59:30
Tsegay Kebede (ETH) PB 59:35

Women
Mary Keitany (KEN) - 1:05:50 (WR) (5th fastest marathoner all time 2:19:19 - 2011)
Caroline Cheptanui Kilel (KEN) PB 1:08:16
Hilda Kibet (KEN) PB 1:08:39
Feysa Tadesse (ETH) PB 1:08:44


Past winners:

Men

2011 - 59:25 - Deriba Merga (ETH)

2010 - 59:43 - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN)

2009 - 58:52 - Patrick Makau (KEN)

2008 - 59:35 - Patrick Makau (KEN)

2007 - 58:53 - (WR) late Sammy Wanjiru (KEN)

Women:

2011 - 1:05:50 - (WR) Mary Keitany (KEN)

2010 - 1:07:07 -Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR)

2009 - 1:07:18 - Dire Tune (ETH)

2008 - 1:12:29 - Salina Kosgei (KEN)

2007 - 1:10:58 - Birhan Adere (ETH)

Winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards in London.

FC Barcelona

Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN)


Winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards held in London yesterday were :

Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic (Tennis)

Sportswoman of the Year: Vivian Cheruiyot (Athletics)

Team of the Year: FC Barcelona (Football)

Breakthrough of the Year: Rory McIlroy (Golf)
Comeback of the Year: Darren Clarke (Golf)
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oscar Pistorius (Athletics)
Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater (Surfing)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bobby Charlton (Football)
Sport for Good Award: Raaací Souza Vieira de Oliveira (Football)

Novak Djokovic beat other nominees Cadel Evans (AUS) (Cycling), Lionel Messi (Soccer), Usain Bolt (Athletics), Dirk Nowitzki (Basketball) and Sebastian Vettel (Formula One) whereas Vivian Cheruiyot did so on Homare Sawa (JPN) (Football), Yani Tseng (Taiwan) (Golf), Carmelita Jeter (JAM) (Athletics), Petra Kvitova (Czech) (Tennis), Maria Höfl-Riesch (GER) (Alpine Skiing)


Previous Winners: Sportsman --------------- Sportswoman
2011 : Rafael Nadal (ESP) Tennis ---- Lindsey Vonn (USA) Alpine Skiing
2010 : Usain Bolt (JAM) Athletics --- Serena Williams (USA) Tennis
2009 : Usan Bolt (JAM) Athletics ---- Yelena Isinbayeya (RUS) Athletics
2008 : Roger Federer (SUI) Tennis -- Justine Henin (BEL) Tennis
2007: Roger Federer (SUI) Tennis --- Yelena Isnbayeya (RUS) Athletics

Ethiopians set new course records in Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon this morning

Dejere Abera - Eliud Chepteiof
Misiker Demissie


New course records for both the men and women of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, an IAAF Bronze Lebel Road Race, were established by the Ethiopians this morning.

Dejere Abera of Ethiopia edged Eliud Chepteiof of Kenya into 2nd place at a "photo-finish" when both clocked 2:11:27 beating the old course record of 2:14:57 set in 2009.

The Ethiopians completed a double when Misiker Demissie won the women's title in 2:30:12 which is also a new course record. Compatriot Shitaye Gemechu made a 1-2 for Ethiopia by finishing a close 2nd in 2:31:44

Results:
Men
1) 2:11:27 (CR) - Dejere Abera (ETH)
2) 2:11:27 - Eliud Chepteiof (KEN)
3) 2:11:28 - Cosmas Kyeva (KEN)
Women
1) 2:30:12 (CR) - Misiker Demissie (ETH)
2) 2:31:44 - Shitaye Gemechu (ETH)
3) 2:31:47 - Winfred Nyansikera (KEN)