25.09.2007

Kenyans dominate Sydney Marathon

The weekend’s Sydney Marathon, part of the 2007 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival, saw Kenyan athletes take out the first four positions in the men’s event.

Victory went to Julius Maritim - his third straight after success at the 2005 and 2006 editions, setting a course record of 2:14:38.

Second was Philip Muia (2:21:54), also runner-up in last year’s marathon, while Nicholas Merica finished third (2:21.22).

“The first five kilometres were fairly cold, but it warmed up towards the end and I’m really glad to beat my previous time,” Maritim said.

The crown of Australian champion went to Damon Harris (Quakers Hall) who finished fifth overall in 2:27:58 from Ramsgate Beach’s Jeremy Horne (2:32:43). Bronze was awarded to Leichhardt’s Andrew Tuckey (2:33:59).

Japan’s Naoko Tsuchiya won the women’s marathon in 2:43:10 and was 18th overall.

Darwin’s Eliza Mayger was the first Australian over the line, posting 2:46:34, followed by Cronulla’s Verity Tolhurst (2:52:13) and Randwick’s Heidi Cayzer (2:57:21).

Athens 2004 Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley powered home in the wheelchair marathon in a time of 1:43:01, with Korean Seung Hun Jun second in 2:15:07. Melba’s Ian Rhodes was third in 2:26:52.

Rosemary Little (West Pennant Hills) completed the women’s marathon course in 2:35:30.

Sydneysider Thomas Do Canto won the half marathon in 1:07:29 from Thailand’s Boonchoo Jandacha (1:09:05) and Pyrmont’s Charlie Low (1:10:13).

In the women’s half marathon, the honours went to Jenny Wickham (Allambie Heights), who won in 1:18:20, followed by Saifon Boonjang (Thailand) in 1:19:19 and Billinda Schipp of North Rocks (1:19:35).

Korean Jeong Su Beyon won the wheelchair half marathon in 1:30:40.

In the 9km event, Russell Dessaix-Chin triumphed in 26:33, followed by Page’s Rowan Walker (26:51) and World Youth Championships representative Ryan Gregson (27:24).

In the women’s, Marsfield’s Eliza Stewart won in 30:36 with Randwick’s Elizabeth Miller second (31:38) and Wollongong’s Anita Keem (32:31).

Taking in sights of the city over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, more than 20,000 people enjoyed the festival’s events, including a field of 5000 fun runners in the 4km family event.

Australian cricket great Glenn McGrath and his young family took part in the run.

More than 1000 international runners from 40 nations competed in the festival, raising half a million dollars for charity.

Director Wayne Larden recognised that the numbers were the highest in the seven-year history of the event.

Click here for full results

Courtesy Sydney Running Festival