Makau leads Berlin race

By FEVERPITCH REPORTER and AGENCIES

Heavy rains scuppered the Kenyan effort to reclaim the world marathon record as Patrick Makau Musyoki led his compatriot Geoffrey Mutai to top honours in Berlin.

Makau won Sunday’s rain swept race in 2:05.08 ahead of Africa 10,000m bronze winner Mutai who just like in Rotterdam earlier this year, had to settle for the bridesmaid position in 2:05:10. Ethiopia’s world marathon junior record holder, Bazu Worku, sealed the podium a further 15seconds adrift (2:05:25).

Patrick Makau after winning the Berlin Marathon, on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Nevertheless, his winning effort is the third fastest of the year in a field that did not feature Gebrselassie, who competed in last weekend’s Great North Run in preparation for the New York Marathon on November 17.

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The leading trio broke away from the rest of the pack at the 35km point that meant there was a sizeable gap back to world fourth placer Yemane Adhane from Ethiopia, who took fourth again in 2:07:52.

Just like in Rotterdam, Makau pulled clear of Mutai, who could not make an impression on his compatriot in the final kilometre.

Prague Marathon winner Eliud Kiptanui, who was the third Kenyan in the three-pronged assault for Gebrselassie’s world best, finished fifth in 2:08:05 with Bernard Kipyego sixth in 2:08:50.

Gilbert Yegon (2:10:34) was the fifth Kenyan among the top-ten finishers in the men’s race.

The form from Rotterdam also translated to the women’s race as Aberu Kebede from Ethiopia prevailed, after triumphing in Rotterdam in April.

The 21-year-old broke away from her compatriots just before the 25km mark to set a PB of 2:23:58. Fourth in London this year, pre-race favourite Bezunesh Bekele from Ethiopia took the runner-up spot in 2:24:58 with Tomo Morimoto from Japan third in 2:26:10.