Reigning Mexico City Marathon champion Titus Ekiru and Vivian Kiplagat led Kenyan runners to podium positions at the Honolulu marathon ran today in USA.
Ekiru ran with a second fastest time in the history of the event timing 2:09.01 to lead compatriot Reuben Kiprop to second in 2:12.59 before Vincent Yator completing the podium timing 2:15.31.
Last year, Ekiru was fourth in his Honolulu Marathon debut and Lawrence Cherono won in a record time of 2:08:27.
The 24 won back his title he won in following his victories at the Ciudad de Mexico Marathon in 2:10:38. Ekiru was also first in the San Diego Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon, posting a personal best 1:01:02 for 13.1 miles.
After withdrawal of world half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, Kiplagat won the women’s race timing 2:36:22 ahead of another Kenyan Sheila Jerotich in second in 2:42:09 as Japanese Eri Suzuki in 2:47.53.
Kiplagat, 27, won her fourth of five international competitions in 2018, including the Buenos Aires Marathon where she was first in 2:29.03.
This is the fifth year in a row where Kenyans have won both the men’s and women’s marathons at Honolulu.