Samson Keiyo leads a Kenyan podium Sweep in Italy

Kenya’s Samson Kipchirchir Keiyo ran away with the men’s 42km title at the Maratona di Ravenna, on Sunday (10) in Ravenna, Italy.

The 34 year-old who came to this race with a life time best of 2:15.44 that he got in 2016 at the Standard Chattered Nairobi Marathon, made a costly mistake at the 35km mark when he went back to pick the water and was dropped from the leading group of three. Keiyo who still had some reserved power in him, managed to redeem himself as he got hold of Laban Chepkorom whom he dropped after a kilometer and set again his focus on the leader, Vincent Kiprotich Mutai who had pulled away from the two creating a 30m distance.

ALSO READ: Abel Kirui headlines Kobe marathon

Keiyo who last raced at the 2019 Kigali Peace Marathon where he finished in eleventh place, engaged his gear further and finally managed to catch up with Mutai after 2km chase, dropping him like a hot pan as he surged ahead, creating a three minute gap between him and the second chaser.

Keiyo who led a 1-2-3 Kenyan podium finish, cut the tape first in a new personal best of 2:12.52 and was followed in second place by Mutai in 2:15.11 with Chepkorom sealing the podium three finishes in 2:16.25.

Kenya’s Asbel Kipkorir and Italy’s Giuseppe Rocco finished in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 2:25.54 and 2:31.12.

LEADING RESULTS

42KM MEN

1. Samson Kipchirchir Keiyo   (KEN) 2:12.52
2. Vincent Kiprotich Mutai       (KEN) 2:15.11
3. Laban Chepkorom                 (KEN) 2:16.25
4. Asbel Kipkorir                       (KEN) 2:25.54
5. Giuseppe Rocco                     (ITA) 2:31.12