Its Not Always About Winning: Amos Kipruto Hails Fourth Prague Finish

6th May 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

Kenyan favourite notes his performance after injury a good sign he is headed for a return to the podium in forthcoming races

Kipruto Amos of Kenya crosses the finish line to take the third place in the men's race of the Tokyo Marathon 2018 in Tokyo, Japan, 25 February 2018. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

Kipruto was the best placed Kenyan in the men’s race, running 2:06:46 for fourth in a race where Moroccan Almahjoub Dazza led Ethiopian pair Dawit Wolde and Bantie Aychew to the medals in that order
Once the pacers had done their work, a group of five men remained, with Dazza and Kipruto continuing to do most of the leading
However, Kenyan born Israeli runner, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter grabbed the headlines when she smashed the women’s course record

NAIROBI, Kenya- Amos Kipruto, believes his performance at Sunday’s Volkswagen Prague Marathon proved he is capable of challenging for top honours once again despite placing outside the podium in the men’s race of the IAAF Gold Label race.

Kipruto was the best placed Kenyan in the men’s race, running 2:06:46 for fourth in a race where Moroccan Almahjoub Dazza led Ethiopian pair Dawit Wolde and Bantie Aychew to the medals in that order.

Kipruto, a former Rome and Seoul marathon winner, finished second at last year’s BMW Berlin Marathon (2:06:20) in a race made famous by Eliud Kipchoge’s staggering 2:01:39 world record victory.

Injury in training meant the 27 year-old was not in the best shape to challenge for victory in the end but in a Facebook post, Kipruto maintained his result was an encouraging sign ahead of the fall marathon season later this year.

“Let's me take this opportunity to say thank you God for a great day, my family for (the) humble time you show up in me during my training programme. Big thanks to my coach Claudio (Berardelli) and Abel. Big thanks to my fans in the world.

“I’m really happy after long injury but happy because I really back,” part of his post stated.

In the Czech capital, Kenyans found themselves in the unfamiliar position of failing to land the top honours in the men and women races.

However, Kenyan born Israeli runner, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter grabbed the headlines when she smashed the women’s course record.

Partly cloudy

On a partly cloudy morning with light winds and near-perfect conditions and a temperature of 5C at the start, some 10,000 runners began their journey through the historic streets of Prague.

Salpeter was part of a lead group of five women during the early stages, joined by Eshete Shitaye of Bahrain, Lucy Cheruiyot of Kenya, Ethiopia’s Yalew Genet and Kellyn Taylor from the US. Following a pacemaker, they covered the first 5km in 16:42.

By half way, reached in 1:10:12, Salpeter had a lead of a few seconds over defending champion Bornes Jepkirui Kitur, Eshete and Yalew.

Less than 10 kilometres later, the Israeli’s lead had grown to more than a minute and she was on schedule to break the course record of 2:21:57.

Although the wind increased in the latter stages of the race, she continued to increase her pace in the second half for a negative split of 1:09:33 as she finished in 2:19:46 becoming the first woman to break 2:20 in Prague and smashing her own national record, moving to third on the European all-time list.

Eshete was second in 2:22:39 with Yalew placing third in 2:24:34.

Looking for fast times, a group of eight men followed three pacemakers across the famed Charles Bridge and on to the 5km mark in 14:49.

By halfway, reached in 1:02:51, a group of eight men including pre-race favourites Dazza and Kipruto still followed the three pacemakers, but they had slowed just slightly and had fallen behind course record pace.

Once the pacers had done their work, a group of five men remained, with Dazza and Kipruto continuing to do most of the leading.

The Kenyan’s efforts eventually took their toll and when Dazza increased his pace at 40km the others were unable to respond.

The Moroccan went on to win in 2:05:58, the second-fastest time in the race’s history. Wolde came through to take second place in 2:06:18, a PB by more than three minutes, while fellow Ethiopian Aychew was third in 2:06:23.

-Additional material sourced from iaaf.org

Prague Leading results

Men

1 Almahjoub Dazza (MAR) 2:05:58

2 Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:06:18

3 Bantie Aychew (ETH) 2:06:23

4 Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:06:46

5 Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) 2:07:30

6 Ben Hamid Daoud (ESP) 2:08:14

7 Paul Muchemi Maina (KEN) 2:09:17

8 Girmaw Amare (ISR) 2:09:54

9 Nicodemus Kipkirui Kimutai (KEN) 2:10:00

10 Goitom Kifle (ERI) 2:10:18

Women

1 Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (ISR) 2:19:46

2 Shitaye Eshete (BRN) 2:22:39

3 Genet Yalew (ETH) 2:24:34

4 Kellyn Taylor (USA) 2:26:27

5 Lucy Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:27:16

6 Hellen Jepkurgat (KEN) 2:29:10

7 Catherine Bertone (ITA) 2:31:07

8 Leslie Sexton (CAN) 2:31:51

9 Elisa Stefani (ITA) 2:33:36

10 Diane Nukuri (BDI) 2:33:38