Kenya’s Bernard Kiptoo Koech flirted with the course record at the 30th edition of the Philadelphia Marathon held on Sunday (19) in Philadelphia PA, United States
The 28 year-old who was racing his fifth marathon with no win managed to handle a nagging injury that he got two weeks ago when he won his first ever marathon in 2:14.26 missing out on the course record with one minute two seconds.
“I wasn’t expecting anything because I know the field was really competitive. But luckily, I don’t know what happened, unfortunately, they didn’t appear, so I was lucky to win,” said Koech.
Koech was followed by Joseph Whelan of United States in 2:14.98 with Sammy Rotich from Kenya closing the podium three finishes in 2:16.33.
United States Will Loevner and Pierre Billerot finished in fourth and fifth in respective time of 2:16.51 and 2:16.54.
Dennis Kipkosgei of Kenya who was making his debut over the distance and runs under the International Elite T.C stable that is managed by Keith Olson, finished in tenth place in 2:16.54.
The race course record of 2:13.28 set two years ago by Mike Chesire from Kenya remains standing.
Koech took home a cool Kshs 1,525,000 ($10,000) as prize money.
LEADING RESULTS
42KM MEN
| POS | NAME | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernard Koech | 2:14.98 |
| 2 | Joseph Whelan | 2:14.40 |
| 3 | Sammy Rotich | 2:16.33 |
| 4 | Will Loevner | 2:16.51 |
| 5 | Pierre Billerot | 2:16.54 |
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