Mosop breaks Chicago Marathon course record

CHICAGO: Kenya’s Moses Mosop won the Chicago Marathon in a course record and Russian Liliya Shobukhova completed an unprecedented hat–trick of victories in impressive style here on Sunday.

Both champions pulled away to post emphatic victories, Mosop clocking 2’05:37 to beat the previous course record of 2’05:41 set in 2009 by the late Sammy Wanjiru.

Shobukhova, too, made it look easy as she won in 2’18:20. Only England’s Paula Radcliffe has ever run faster.

Liliya Shobukhova

Mosop led a Kenyan sweep of the men’s podium. Wesley Korir was second in 2’06:15 and Bernard Kipyego third in 2’06:29.

Ethiopia’s Bekana Daba (2’07:59) and American Ryan Hall (2’08:04) completed the top five.

Mosop came into the race saying his training had been hindered by a sore Achilles tendon. There was no sign of it as he powered through the final third of the race.

“Yesterday I didn’t think I was in good shape,” Mosop said. “I’m very happy about the job I did today.”

Shobukhova’s 2’18:20 made her the second–fastest performer ever behind Radcliffe, who holds the three fastest women’s marathon times.

That includes her world best of 2’15:25 and a 2’17:18 posted at Chicago in 2002.

“I’m unbelievably happy,” said Shobukhova, 33. “It’s something special.”

In addition to seizing a slice of Chicago history, Shobukhova might have secured her 2012 Olympic berth.

Russia’s athletics federation will select their team based on the two fastest times posted between Sept 1 and the end of 2011.

“I’m overwhelmed right now,” said Shobukhova. “You’re happy. You’re excited. You’re shocked.”

Ethiopia’s Ejegayehu Dibaba was second in 2’22:09 and Japan’s Kayoko Fukushi third in 2’24:38.

The race for non–elite field – more than 37,000 runners lined up for the start – was marred by the death of a 35–year–old man who collapsed during the race.

The runner from North Carolina collapsed on the course about 500m from the finish line. Medical personnel were able to get his heart beating again but he died about two hours after he was attended to at the race.

Medical officials and authorities refused to identify the man.

“We extend our condolences and thoughts and prayers to the family,” race director Carey Pinkowski said.

Four years ago, a Michigan man who had a heart condition died during the race, and organisers had hoped that improvements in emergency strategy, additional medical aid stations and increased water distribution points would avoid any repeat of that tragedy. – Agencies

Mosop, Shobukhova set pace at Chicago - SuperSport - Athletics

Liliya Shobukhova © Gallo Images

Mosop, Shobukhova set pace at Chicago

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06 October 2011, 18:56

Boston Marathon runner-up Moses Mosop of Kenya and two-time defending women's champion Liliya Shobukhova of Russia lead world-class fields in Sunday's Chicago Marathon.

"This elite field is not only dynamic, but has the potential to attack the record books," race director Carey Pinkowski said.

"If the weather is good, there could be some reshuffling of not just the Chicago Marathon records, but also the list of all-time fastest certified marathons."

Mosop's marathon debut last April at Boston produced a time of 2 hrs 3 mins 6 secs. He lost by four seconds to compatriot Geoffrey Mutai but carries the fastest entry time this weekend.

Mosop, also second in this year's Paris Half-Marathon, set a world record of 1:26:47.4 in the 30 000 metres in June at Eugene, Oregon, breaking the old mark of 1:29:18.8 set by Japan's Toshihiko Seko in Christchurch on March 22, 1981.

Shobukhova, 33, could become the first person to win the Chicago Marathon three times in a row. She has already clinched the World Marathon Majors women's title and a $500 000 bonus.

The men's field also includes Kenya's Evans Cheruiyot, who won the 2008 Chicago race in a personal best of 2:06:25 but has been unable to compete in it since due to injuries. Cheruiyot was second at this year's Dubai Marathon.

American Ryan Hall has a personal best of 2:04:58 with Ethiopia's Bazu Worku third-fastest in the field at 2:05:25.

Kenyan Bernard Kipyego, runner-up at the 2009 world half-marathon championship, ran 2:07:01 in his full-distance debut at last year's Rotterdam Marathon.

Kenya's Dickson Kiptolo Chumba won this year's Rome Marathon while Ethiopian Getu Feleke, with a best of 2:05:44, set a course record of 2:05:44 last year at Amsterdam. Also in the line-up is Houston Marathon winner Bekana Daba of Ethiopia.

Japan's Atsushi Sato, who owns his homeland's national half-marathon record of 1hr 25secs, will attempt to break the Japanese men's marathon record of 2:06:16 set by Toshinari Takaoka at the 2002 Chicago Marathon.

Brazil's Marilson Dos Santos, the 2006 and 2008 New York Marathon champion, races in Chicago for the first time since 2004 in quest of the Brazilian and South American record of 2:06:05 held by Ronaldo Da Costa.

Shobukhova's toughest rival could be Ethiopia's Askale Tafa, winner of the 2007 Dubai and Paris marathons and with a personal best of 2:21:31 that trails only Shobukhova.

Kayoko Fukushi, who holds Japanese women's records at 3 000 and 5 000 metres as well as in the half-marathon, will try to dethrone the Russian as well.

China's Wei Yanan, the two-time Seoul Marathon champion, and Benita Willis, who set an Australian record of 2:22:36 with a third-place finish at the 2006 Chicago Marathon, are also in the hunt, as is Christelle Daunay, who owns the French women's marathon record of 2:24:22.

Muse Tegegne with Belayeneh Dessimo the struggle to win the Marathon world Record - YouTube

Muse Tegegne with Belayeneh Dessimo the struggle to win the Marathon world Record - YouTube: ""

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