Barnaba Kipkoech retains Kobe marathon title

Barnaba Kipkoech successfully defended his Kobe marathon title held today in Kobe, Japan in its 13^th edition.

The 31 year old Kenyan led a 1-2 podium finish for Kenyans when Timothy Kipkorir Kattam managed second position.

After setting the course record last year at 2:11:19, Kipkoech ran a slower time of 2:12:28, failing to break his own time  as Kattam managed second after crossing the dinish line in 2:12:32 as Australian Liam Boudin compleyted the podium at 2:12:35.

Japanese Akihiro Kaneko (2:12:51) was in the 4^th position as 2012 Olympic marathon silver medalist Abel Kirui as double world marathon champion was 5^th after clocking 2:14:43.

In women, Japanese took home advantage to take positions 1 and 2 with Natisuki Ogawa winning in 2:36:42 ahead of compatriot Shiho Kaneshige in 2:39:15 as Estonia’s Riine Ringi completing the podium in 2:39:33.

Selected Kobe Marathon results

Men

1. Bernard Kipkoech (KEN) 2:12:28
2. Timothy Kipkorir Kattam (KEN) 2:12:32
3. Liam Boudin (AUS) 2:12:35
4. Akihiro Kaneko (JPN)  2:12:51
5. Abel Kirui (KEN) 2:14:43

Women

1. Natisuki Ogawa (JPN) 2:36:42
2. Shihi Kaneshige (JPN) 2:39:15
3. Riine Ringi (EST) 2:39:33
4. Ayumu Yokoka (JPN) 2:42:41
5. Takano Hot (JPN) 2:43:43