Philemon Rono and Jackline Cherono were the winners of the 2023 Kosice Peace marathon held over the weekend in Slovakia.
Rono won the men’s title in 2:06.55 beating Ethiopian Kebede Tulu to second after timing 2:06.56 before Eritrean Berhane Tesfay completed the podium at 2:07.0 with defending champion Reuben Kiprop Kerio missing the opportunity, finishing 4th in 2:07.56.
Popularly called Baby Police due to his height and body size Rono, has dominated in many race, winning the Toronto marathon three times starting with the 2016, 2017, and 2019.
In women, defending champion Margaret Agai failed to defend her title when Kenyan Cherono won the title in 2:24.43 ahead of an all Ethiopian contingent of Adawork Aberta, who was second in 2:26.19 with compatriot and former champion Ayantu Kumela completing the podium at 2:26.33.