Viola Kibiwott and Kenneth Kipkemoi were the best Kenyans at today’s Rotterdam marathon held in the Netherlands.
Making her debut in marathon, Kibiwott clocked 2:20:57 to finish second in the women’s race won by Ashete Bekere of Ethiopia in 2:19:30.
Kibiwott was followed by Sally Kipyego (2:22:46) and Emily Chebet (2:24:49). Pascalia Jepkosgei (2:24:56).
Kipkemoi finished 4th in a race won by home boy and the reigning Olympic Games marathon silver medallist Abdi Nageeye who won the men’s race at 2:04:45.
Ethiopians pair of Amedework Walelegn and Birhanu Legese completed the podium after coming home in second and third in 2:04:50 and 2:05:16 respectively as Kipkemboi was fourth in 2:05.43 with Enock Onchari fifth in 2:06:07.
The race started with a minute’s silence in honour of the late Kelvin Kiptum with his wife Asenath Rotich presented with a special trophy courtesy of Zepp Health, the company behind the AmazFit Cheetah Pro watch.
All runners in Rotterdam also proudly donned a black ribbon in memory of Kiptum while his running number (No. 1) had been retired by race organisers in honour of the fallen world marathon record holder.