Ndungu storms to victory in course record

HE has never represented his country but Geoffrey Ndungu underscored the immense wealth of talent that remains untapped in Kenya when he reduced the course record to 2:08:33 to win yesterday’s National Lottery Dublin Marathon.

The 27-year-old is one of a number of Kenyan athletes who have been ‘adopted’ in a training camp in Germany as part of an exchange programme. Indeed Fingal County Council and Balbriggan Town Council combined to pay the cost of bringing him and two other members of the group to Dublin.

His pedigree – a 2:11:30 marathon in St Wendel last year – tucked him away in a field that included another 13 of his fellow countrymen headed by the defending champion, Moses Kibet, who set the previous course record at 2:08:58 last year.

Ben Maiyo, who has a PB of 2:07:09 from Chicago, Chepkwony Kiptoo ran 2:08:33 in Kosice, Laban Moiban with 2:09:44 from Ottawa and Jacob Yator, with a PB of 2:09.02 from Enschede.

And it appeared as if Kiptoo might be set for a coast to coast victory as he led the race from the front of what was originally a nine-man leading group. He fought off the challenge of Moiben and then Kibet when he loomed up at half way (63:51) and remained in control until the race developed in a head to head with Ndungu.

Ndungu ran the 24th mile in 4:22 and followed up with a 4:52 to surge clear and he was on his own when he rounded the corner at Trinity College with Kiptoo settling for second place in 2:09:50 and Jacob Kiplagat Yator third in 2:10:23.

“At kilometre 37 we were running together and then I tried to break,” he said. The opportunity came and I took it. When I realised nobody was coming with me I enjoyed the last couple of miles. I am happy to run my personal best here in Dublin and I would like to come back next year and defend the title.

“I have never qualified to run on the national team for Kenya and that is something I would like to do before I finish running. Maybe one time I’ll be a champion in Kenya.”

Helalia Johannes (Namibia) broke the East European stranglehold on the women’s race when she battled through the pain barrier after powering her way clear of a six-strong leading group to win in 3:30:35 with Emily Rotich (Kenya) 1:35 behind her and Radiya Adilo (Ethiopia) another 12 seconds further back.

Ireland’s Linda Byrne (Dundrum/South Dublin) was sixth, happy in the knowledge that she had qualified for next year’s Olympics.

Helalia Johannes will also go to the Games but, in the meantime, she must sort out a hamstring injury.

“The course was not easy – up and down with a lot of hills – and the injured hamstring was painful,” she said.