Kenya’s Elisha Barno remained unbeaten when he defended his title at the 42nd edition of the Grandma’s Marathon that was held on Saturday (16) along the North Shore, in Minnesota.
Approaching the Talmadge River halfway to Canal Park, Barno accelerated. He was really moving now, putting space between himself and the field. A 10-meter lead became 40.
Barno took advantage of spectacular conditions to produce the third-fastest finishing time in Grandma’s history. It was 55 degrees at the start line in Two Harbors, with a 6-mph tailwind and overcast sky. Fog came and went.
The 32 year-old made history when he won the race four times in a row cutting the tape 2:10.06.
“No one has beaten me since I came here, so Grandma’s is my favorite race,” said Barno, who lives in Eldoret and races without a sponsor. “At 24 miles I thought maybe I could run 2:08, but the weather was changing. The air was very light when we started [at 7:45 a.m.]. It was colder and heavier off [Lake Superior] at the end. Otherwise, it was a very good day to run.”
Ethiopia’s Birhanu Dare Kemal took second position when he crossed the line in 2:12.21 and was followed a distant later with Rodgers Gesabwa who is also from Kenya closing the podium three finish in
2:13.23.
Barno, took home a cool $12,500 and also was added $2,500 for running under 2:11.
LEADING RESULTS
MEN
- Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:10.06
- Birhanu Kemal (ETH) 2:12.21
- Rodgers Gesabwa (KEN) 2:13.23
Facebook Comments