In a close finish, Kenyan Evans Kipkosgei Ruto took the Cologne Marathon on Sunday with a course record of 2:08:36. Fellow Kenyan Samson Bungei was second just a few strides behind and he was given the same time. As expected Sabrina Mockenhaupt was the women’s winner in 2:30:12.
In its 13th edition the Cologne Marathon finally produced the first sub 2:10 times in the history of the event. Guided by pacemakers, a leading group of 19 runners had reached half way in a promising 1:04:05. With the exception of Aadam Khamis (Bahrain) all were Kenyans. Nine of them including Khamis then reached 30 kilometres in 1:31:41, still well on course for a sub-2:10 result. In the final part of the race it looked as if the Bahraini might be able to steal the show from the Kenyans. He was in the lead but was then caught soon after the 40 kilometre mark by Ruto and Bungei…..Read More
