Germany ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth and Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii led Eldoret athletics fans in celebrations when double Olympic Games marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge retained his Berlin Marathon title held on Sunday in Berlin, Germany.
With big screens mounted along the Eldoret-Uganda road, it forced road users to divert their route, avoiding the main highway to other routes to pave way for the viewrthon on the screen set up by the Uasin Gishu County government.
Fans, led by governor Groth and Bii among other leaders were glued on the screen as they started celebrating the victory at 35km when the pace setters backed off.
The duo turned the streets into a dancing floor for athletics lovers cheered on.
Bii said he was elated and congratulated Kipchoge on winning the Berlin Marathon for the fifth time.
“This is proof that Uasin Gishu and other north rift counties are the source of great sportsmen and women.”
He said the North Rift economic block counties will continue to encourage the youth to explore their different sports talents.
The ambassador said the Berlin Marathon has brought together much celebrations and cementing the two nations friendhip for the last 60 years.
“Germany and Kenya are celebrating their 60 years of friendship and looking forward to the next phase of friendship especially through sports,” said Groth.
With his 5th title on the Germany streets, Kipchoge cut the tape in 2:03:42 failing to beat his own world record he set last year at the same course in 2:01:09.
He was followed by compatriot Vincent Kipkemboi with Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele spoiling the Kenyan podium sweep in third at 2:03:14 and 2:03:24 respectively.
In other results, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering the moixed women world record then held by Brigid Kosgei in 2:14:04 set in 2019 durng Chicago marathon to 2:11.53.
Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui settled for the second spot clocking 2:17:29 while another Ethiopian Tigist Abayechar clocked 2:18:51 for the third position.