Kipketer siblings rule

Kenya’s Gideon Kipketer won the men’s full marathon in the 13th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon with a new course record of 2:08:35. He broke Jackson Kiprop’s record of 2.09.32, set in 2013.

Incidentally Kiprop had also started as a pacemaker then, and was favourite to win Sunday’s race but the Ugandan finished seventh with a timing 2:14:54. Ethiopia’s Seboka Dibaba also ran below the earlier course record with a timing of 2:09:20 to clinch silver. Kenya’s Marius Kimutai completed the podium by clocking 2:09:39.

Gideon’s sister Valentine Kipketer incidentally holds the women’s course record (2:24:33) here. Valentine, now a mother, struggled mid way but regained composure to finish third in the women’s full marathon clocking 2:34:07. Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo claimed the gold by clocking 2:27:50 while Kenya’s Bornes Kitur bagged the second spot (2:32:00).

Gideon was leading the pack of 16 until half way mark. After 30 kilometres, he went for the kill and picked up pace from the 32kms stretch. He acquired a comfortable lead over Seboka in the last five kilometres and eventually kept a gap of 45 minutes till the finish line.