Kenyan Anderson Seroi conquers Hong Kong Marathon
Kenya's Anderson Seroi wins Hong Kong Marathon, vows to return for a faster finish amid strong international competition.
Kenya’s Anderson Saitoti Seroi triumphed in the Hong Kong Marathon completing the grueling course in an impressive time of two hours, 12 minutes, and 50 seconds.
Seroi's victory came amidst challenging conditions, yet his resolve remained unshaken as he immediately set his sights on returning next year for an even swifter conquest.
The race, held on Sunday, saw Seroi narrowly outpace South Africa’s seasoned runner Stephen Mokoka, who secured the second spot with a time of 2:12:58.
Mekuant Ayenew from Ethiopia rounded out the top three, finishing in 2:13:09.
This year's marathon was marked by a moderate temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) at the start, providing somewhat ideal conditions for the runners.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Medina Armino emerged victorious, clocking in at 2:28:47.
She was closely followed by Beatrice Cheptoo and Gadise Mulu, who completed the race in 2:29:30 and 2:29:46, respectively.
Despite the physical toll of the race, Seroi's spirit remained high.
Post-race, he expressed his gratitude and affection for the city of Hong Kong.
“First of all, I want to thank God for the win, but also Hong Kong, it’s a beautiful city,” Seroi said.
“I feel really good, the course is tough but I enjoy running it.” His determination was evident, as he pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, even experiencing sickness after crossing the finish line.
Seroi, 30, is already planning his return, aiming to shatter his current record.
"I ran two hours 12 this year, so next year I’ll aim for two hours 10," he stated, showcasing his relentless ambition.
His 2024 goal is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence in the sport.
In a historical context, Seroi's time this year marks a significant achievement, but it also serves as a reminder of the fiercely competitive nature of the marathon.
In 2023, a time of 2:12:00, achieved by Senbeta Geza Tadease, was only good enough for third place, highlighting the continually evolving standards in marathon running.
The event also doubled as the Asian Marathon Championships, where India’s Man Singh claimed gold with a time of 2:14:19.
He was followed by China’s Huang Yongzheng and Kyrgyzstan’s Ilya Tiapkin, who finished in 2:15:24 and 2:18:17, respectively.
posted Monday January 22nd
by Festus Chuma