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22nd Vienna City Marathon: Shami and Barsosio win while warm weather slows runners
2005-05-22
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In very warm temperatures of more than 25° Celsius at the end of the race Mubbarak Shami (Qatar) and Florence Barsosio (Kenya) won the 22nd edition of the Vienna City Marathon. Shami, who switched nationality from Kenya to Qatar a year ago, clocked 2.12.20 in his debut marathon. He was formerly known as Richard Yatich. Japhet Kosgei (Kenya) was second with 2.15.15 while Henry Serem (Kenya/2.15.26) finished third.
Florence
Barsosio won with a big margin of more than eight minutes. She clocked
2.31.40 while Eva-Maria Gradwohl (Austria) was second with 2.39.44.
Ilona Barvanova (Ukraine/2.47.04) took third place. Both winners earned
10,000 Euros of prize money. About 21,500 runners took part in various
races of the Vienna City Marathon, which was once more the biggest
sporting event in the summer season in Austria. An estimated 250,000
spectators lined the streets in the city centre.
“Hot conditions made it difficult for the runners today. Taking this
into account we can be happy with the race. A newcomer has beaten a
number of experienced runners”, Vienna’s elite race director Mark Milde
said.
It had been warmer than expected already in the morning of the
race. At the start temperatures had reached about 20 ° C. It continued
to warm up, which slowed the race. “In cooler conditions I could have
run 2.09 today”, Mubbarak Shami said. “But I felt very strong and did
not fear running alone for a large part of the race.” After Shami had
passed half way in 65.21 minutes he increased the pace. At first Japhet
Kosgei and Degene Regassa Nigusse (Ethiopia) held on but when Shami ran
some sub three minute splits between 25 and 30 k he was soon alone at
front. Beyond 35 k Shami slowed but was in no danger of being caught
again. The next race of the 24 year-old winner will be the World
Championships’ marathon in Helsinki for which he qualified in Vienna.
There were a number of prominent athletes who dropped out in the
hot temperatures. Last year’s winner and course record holder Samson
Kandie (Kenya/2.08.35) had been in the group chasing Shami but stopped
at about 35 k. Vincent Kipsos (Kenya), the fastest man in the field
with a PB of 2.06.52, and Boniface Usisivu (Kenya) dropped out as well.
And the 1996 Olympic Champion Josia Thugwane (South Africa) did not
make it either to the finish line.
“I think the heat cost me five minutes”, Florence Barsosio said. The
Kenyan aimed for a time of about 2.27 although she had already run the
Paris Marathon in April, where she finished second. “At the end of the
race I felt very tired.” The 28 year-old was running alone for most of
the race since she had no pacemakers.
RESULTS, MEN:
1. Mubbarak Shami (QAT) 2.12.20
2. Japhet Kosgei (KEN) 2.15.15
3. Henry Serem (KEN) 2.15.26
4. Lahoucine Mrikik (MAR) 2.15.45
5. Richard Mutai (KEN) 2.15.57
6. Maru-Shadrad Kipchirchir (KEN) 2.16.18
7. Degene-Rega Nigusse (ETH) 2.16.37
8. Michael Buchleitner (AUT) 2.16.41
RESULTS, WOMEN:
1. Florence Barsosio (KEN) 2.31.40
2. Eva-Maria Gradwohl (AUT) 2.39.44
3. Ilona Barvanova (UKR) 2.47.04
More Information: http://www.vienna-marathon.com/
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