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Lead Stories: Monday, December 1, 2008

Barus to Challenge Sub-2:07 Men Kiplagat and Kipsos in Sunday’s Frankfurt Marathon

Posted October 25th, 2008 at 9:23 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Kenyans William Kiplagat and Vincent Kipsos, both sub-2:07 marathoners, are among several key protagonists at Sunday’s 27th Dresdner Kleinwort Frankurt Marathon on Sunday.

But despite their solid credentials the field on the men’s side promises a wide open race over the relatively flat course through Germany’s financial center and fifth largest city. Among the key challengers is another Kenyan, Benson Barus, whose 2:08:34 career best from two years ago could be under threat.

“The field is very strong so I can’t say if I am going to win, but I will give my best,” said Barus, a former world junior 10,000m champion. Four weeks ago the 28-year-old lowered his personal best over the half marathon to 59:41 with his victory over a notoriously flat and fast course in Udine, Italy. Despite that solid performance, Barus said his play book calls for a conservative first half. “I am running my own race. I’ll try to run around 64 minutes for the first half.”
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Kigen Looking for Third Win at Frankfurt Marathon

Posted October 26th, 2007 at 11:15 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The sheriff will be back in Frankfurt on Sunday as course record-holder Wilfred Kigen goes for his third straight victory in the German capital at the Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon.

Kigen, a 32 year-old Kenyan from Great Rift Valley city of Eldoret, got his first victory in Frankfurt in 2005, running a then-personal best and current course record of 2:08:29. That victory was a squeaker; he prevailed by just one second over compatriot Jason Mbote. Although he didn’t run as fast last year due to warm and windy conditions, he dominated the race, winning by nearly a minute and a half in 2:09:06.

At Kigen’s last outing over the 42.195 km distance in Hamburg last April, he was involved in another thrilling finish, losing by a single second to former ING New York City Marathon champion, Rodgers Rop. He was, however, rewarded with a new personal best time of 2:07:33.
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