Kipchoge, Afework win Rotterdam Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge and Abebech Afework won the 34th edition of the Rotterdam Marathon for men and women, respectively, here Sunday.

The 29-year-old pre-race favourite, Kipchoge from Kenya, grabbed victory in 2:05.00, staying 33 seconds above the course record of 2:04.27 set in 2009 by fellow Kenyans Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai. He arrived solo at the finish on the Coolsingel street after having run the last seven km alone, reports Xinhua.

"Too bad I did not manage to break the course record. Fortunately I won. That record will come the next time," he said.

Bernard Koech, also from Kenya, finished second in 2:06.07 while third place was also for a Kenyan, Bernard Kipyego (2:07.57).

Abebech won the women's race in 2:27.50. The 23-year-old Ethiopian beat compatriot Guteni Shone (2:30.23) and Namibian Beata Naigambo (2:31.00).