Charles Muneria wins Marathon de La Rochelle

The 2016 Africa Cross Country bronze medallist, Charles Muneria led a 1-2 Kenyan podium finish at the 33rd edition of the Marathon de La Rochelle held on Sunday (24) in La Rochelle, France.

The 28 year-old, who came to this race with the fastest time on the entry list of 2:08.54 that he set last year at Malaga Marathon, beat a strong field that included his compatriot Kelvin Kimutai, who was making his debut over the distance and Ethiopia’s Abdu Assen.

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Muneri who finished 17^th place at the 2016 Rio Olympics in 5000m race, won the race in a time of 2:11.53 and was followed a distant later in second place by Kimutai in 2:13.43 with Assen closing the podium three finishes in 2:15.16.

Cheruiyot Koech and Martin Cheruiyot finished in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 2:15.23 and 2:18.52.

LEADING RESULTS

42KM MEN

1. Charles Muneria      (KEN) 2:11.53
2. Kelvin Kimutai        (KEN) 2:13.43
3. Abdu Assen             (ETH) 2:15.16
4. Cheruiyot Koech     (KEN) 2:15.23
5. Martin Cheruiyot     (KEN) 2:18.52