Thousands at Kuching Marathon

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Thousands making their way after the flagging off at Padang Merdeka.

Thousands making their way after the flagging off at Padang Merdeka.

KUCHING: Thousands thronged the streets of Kuching to participate or watch the 2nd Kuching Marathon yesterday. The four races-full and half marathon, 10 and 5km-were flagged off between 3 to 7.30am.

Kenyan runners swept the top three places in the 42km race both for the men and women.

Julius Kimtai Rotich won the RM15,000 first prize after completing the route in 2hr 26min 39sec.

Trailing behind him were fellow countrymen Joseph Gitau Kariuki and Sigei Barnaba who registered 2:27:33 and 2:27:48 respectively.

Winners in a photocall with invited special guests.

Winners in a photocall with invited special guests.

In the women’s category, Ruto Beatrice was first to the finish line in a time of 2:53:53. Second was Margaret Njuguna (2:54:06) and Tarus Gladys Jepkechei was third (2:59:43).

Another Kenyan Wesley Kipkurui Chelule won the race for veterans in 2:56:50 ahead of Thai Praspet Phaisan (3:03:27). Taiwanese Chiu Chien Hsing was third (3:05:18).

In the Malaysian men’s category, Fabian@Osmond bin Daimon won in a time of 2:41:14. Mohamad Affindi Nudin (2:54:47) and Wilsen Singgin (2:58:21) were second and third.

Ewe Bee Hong crossed the line first among Malaysian women, clocking 3:40:29, followed by Ling Mee Eng (3:41:14) and Kona@Lydia Liau (3:44:18).

The Kenyans continued their domination in the half marathon (21km).

In the men’s race, Bernard Mwenda, David Mutao and Daniel Kiprotich finished on the podium registering 1:05:56, 1:06:38 and 1:12:07 respectively.

Cynthia Chelangat, Esther Wambui and Nakuwa Rebecca finished in 1:16:26, 1:19:27 and 1:31:27 respectively in the women’s race.

Other Results

21km (men veteran)

1. Lee Kim Hing 1:28:49 2. Lim Kian Huat 1:33:08 3. Thomas Karl Heinz 1:36:39

21km (women)

1. Lim Soo Gek 1:46:11 2. Choo Ngiik Hung 1:57:27 3.Linda Ho Ming 1:59:26

10km (men)

1. Azwan Bunjing 38:50 2. Mohd Feldarus 39:04 3. Alex Tiong King 40:31

10km (women)

1. Hii Yieng Nyuk 49:43 2. Mary Wong 52:07 3. Roziana Ramlee 52:24

Present to give away the prizes were Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Kuching District Police Chief Roslan Bek Ahmad and Kuching Marathon Association president Wong Chen Yi.