NAIROBI, Kenya, September 29 – Cybrian Kotut put in a virtuoso performance to clinch second place at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
The 2022 Hamburg Marathon champion clocked 2:03:22, in a race won by Milkesha Mengesha of Ethiopia who timed 2:03:17.
Haymanot Alew, also of Ethiopia, finished third in 2:03:31, with another Kenyan, Stephen Kiprop, having to be content with fourth after clocking 2:03:37.
The race had always been destined for a thrilling end with Kotut and Mengesha having been at each others’ heels for much of it.
Mengesha had the last laugh, his powerful kick proving too much for Kotut who could not upstage him in the last 100m.
It was Kotut’s first race since the Boston Marathon in April this year, where he clocked 2:10:29 to finish a disappointing ninth.
His last podium finish was last October’s Amsterdam Marathon where he timed 2:04:34 in second — a personal best at that time.
In the women’s race, it was a forgettable day for Kenya as Ethiopia swept all the podium places.
Tigist Ketema clocked 2:16:42 in first place as fellow countrywomen, Mestawot Fikir (2:18:48) and Bosena Mulatie (2:19:00) came second and third respectively.
The best performing Kenyan was Pauline Esikon who clocked 2:26:53 in 16th.
