Instanbul marathon win inspires sister duo

Sheila Jerotich, on the weekend, stunned Jackline Chepngeno to win the Instanbul Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race, in 2:24:15. 

Jerotich, in winning at Instanbul, improved her Personal Best (PB) from 2:26:06 to 2:24:15 , a time that saw the Kenyan beat her sister to top prize.

“I am really happy to have won the race. Next year I will be back and I hope my sister will be with me as we push each other for another 1-2 finish," she said. 

The women ran a blistering pace during the first part of the race. A group of ten runners passed the 10k point in 32:48 which pointed towards a 2:18:30 finishing time. However, the leaders could not hold on to this sort of pace. They reached half way in 70:19 and then passed the 30k mark in 1:40:48. 

Three years ago World Champion Ruth Chepngetich established a sensational course record of 2:18:35. 

Four runners were left in the leading group shortly after 30k, Jerotich,Chepngeno, Ethiopia's Ayantu Abdi and Judith Cherono of Kenya. Cherono soon dropped back and it was Chepngeno who moved clear.

At 40k she was already 22 seconds ahead and looked certain to win the race. But during the uphill stretch Jerotich came closer and closer and finally overtook her sister with just 500 metres to go for the win. Abdi followed in third place with 2:24:45. 

“I am not disappointed at all. My aim was to finish on the podium and I have achieved that,“ said Chepngeno, who improved her PB by 17 seconds with a time of 2:24:21. "On top of being siblings, we are best friends with Jerotich. We train together and I am happy for her."  

In the men's race, running his debut, Victor Kiplangat became the surprise winner as the 21 year-old Ugandan, who is a training partner of Olympic 5,000 m Champion and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei, clocked 2:10:18 after battling with three other contenders in the final mile of the race for the win. 

Kenya’s Robert Kipkemboi took second with 2:10:23 while Solomon Mutai of Uganda was third in 2:10:25.

The favorites had opted for a tactical race instead of following a pace which was set to break the Turkish allcomers’ record of 2:09:35. A group of 17 men then passed the half way mark in 65:21. 

There was no proper attack until very late in the race. Runners knew about the steep climb up to the finish that waited for them in Istanbul’s historic centre and held back. Records were out of reach, but a thrilling race for victory developed. 

It was Kipkemboi who finally started a move with around five kilometers to go. Four runners were still in contention when the climb began with around a mile to go. Kipkemboi and Moses Kemei as well as Ugandans Kiplangat and Mutai.

Surprisingly it was the debutant who took the lead and pushed hard all the way up the hill. Kiplangat, who has a good half marathon PB of 59:26, was rewarded with his biggest career win.

“I am thrilled to have won my debut marathon. But I knew that I was in good shape. I train in very hilly terrain and was confident that I would be strong in the final section,“ said the 21 year-old. “Cheptegei is my idol. And he helps me a lot." 

Kiplangat, believes he has the potential to run 2:05 to 2:06 in his next marathon in spring. “If I achieve such a time on a flat course I hope to get selected for the World Championships’ marathon next summer. And then I would love to come back to Istanbul to defend my title.“

Results 

Men

1. Victor Kiplangat UGA 2:10:18

2. Robert Kipkemboi KEN 2:10:23

3. Solomon Mutai UGA 2:10:25

4. Moses Kemei KEN 2:10:28

5. Benard Sang KEN 2:10:59

6. Daniel Kibet KEN 2:11:09

7. Mengistu Nigatu ETH 2:11:15

8. Chalachew Tiruneh ETH 2:11:20

Women

1. Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:24:15

2. Jackline Chepngeno KEN 2:24:21

3. Ayantu Abdi ETH 2:24:45

4. Judith Cherono KEN 2:27:23

5. Fetale Tsegaye ETH 2:28:53

6. Zinash Debebe ETH 2:29:45

7. Emily Kipchumba KEN 2:30:25

8. Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:30:28