Double delight for Kenya as Charles Mneria and Pamela Jepkosgei win men’s and women’s Malaga Marathon
Kenyan runners Charles Mneria and Pamela Jepkosgei triumph at the Malaga Marathon in Spain.
There was double delight for Kenya at the 2023 Malaga Marathon as Charles Mneria and Pamela Jepkosgei Rotich won the men’s and women’s races respectively.
Mneria entered the race with an impressive resume and did not disappoint.
With the second-fastest time on paper and a lifetime best of 2:09.07 achieved at the Münster-Marathon just months ago, Mneria was a force to be reckoned with from the start.
From the initial gun, Mneria led a formidable group of nine athletes, showcasing his impeccable form and race strategy.
They cruised through the 5km and 10km marks in a blistering 15:03 and 30:03, a pace that threatened the existing course record of 2:07.36 set two years prior.
However, it was at the 33km mark that Mneria unleashed his true potential.
With calculated precision, he made his move, leaving the leading pack behind and charging ahead solo for the remaining 9km.
The spectators watched in awe as Mneria crossed the finish line, securing not only the victory but also a new personal best of 2:08.54.
It was a stellar performance that added another title to the 27-year-old Nairobi Marathon champion ever-growing list of achievements.
Morocco's Abdelilah El Maimouni, the fastest athlete on the entry list with a time of 2:09.48, had to settle for second place.
Maimouni displayed remarkable determination but could not match Mneria's surge in the closing stages. Crossing the line in 2:09.48, he secured a hard-fought second place.
Musa Kiprop Mitei, another Kenyan talent, completed the podium, finishing third with a time of 2:11.31.
The race also featured top runners from around the world, with Jonathan Akankwasa of Tanzania and Spain's Ricardo Rosado Villaverde claiming fourth and fifth places in times of 2:12.34 and 2:14.23, respectively.
In the women's category, it was a Kenyan masterclass once again as Pamela Jepkosgei Rotich claimed the top spot with a time of 2:33:52.
Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, as she exhibited unwavering determination throughout the grueling race.
Lilia Fisikovici of Moldova put up a fierce fight, finishing just seconds behind Rotich in 2:34:12, securing the second position.
Sweden's Hanna Lindholm displayed her prowess, capturing third place with a time of 2:34:50, while Vanessa Carvalho clocked 2:38:34 to secure fourth place.
Adding to Kenya's glory, Beatrice Jepkemei Cheburet crossed the finish line in fifth place with a commendable time of 2:42:47.
posted Monday December 11th
by Festus Chuma