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Kenyan athletes triumph at Belfast City Marathon setting new records and demonstrating their dominance in long-distance running.
Kenyan athletes reigned supreme at the Belfast City Marathon by smashing records and leaving their competitors in awe on Sunday.
Beatrice Jepkemei and Mathew Kiplimo emerged as the champions in the women's and men's races respective.
Jepkemei, 26, delivered a stunning performance breaking the women's race record with a remarkable time of two hours, 35 minutes, and three seconds.
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Her outstanding achievement shaved off one minute and 47 seconds from the previous record set in 2012 by Ukrainian Nataliya Lehonkova.
Despite facing a fierce challenge from Morocco's Lalla Aziza Alaoui Selsouli in the final stretch Jepkemei held her nerve to secure victory, finishing 17 seconds ahead of her rival.
In the men's race, debutant Mathew Kiplimo showcased his potential by claiming victory in a time of 2:14:44.
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Kiplimo's triumph was all the more impressive as he overtook long-time leader Aweke Ayalew of Bahrain in the final mile, crossing the finish line a mere eight seconds ahead of Ayalew. Moses Kilmulwo of Kenya completed the men's podium, finishing in 2:15:10.
Last year's women's champion, Ethiopian Shewaye Woldemeskel, put in a commendable performance to secure third place with a time of 2:39:58, holding off a challenge from Glady Ganiel, the 2022 winner from North Belfast, who finished fourth.
The ideal running conditions set the stage for outstanding performances, with over 5,000 runners participating in the full marathon and an additional 12,000 taking part in the relay event.
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Jepkemei and Woldemeskel dominated the women's race from the outset, with Jepkemei surging ahead after the 22 kilometers mark to secure her lead.
In the men's race, Kiplimo, Ayalew, and Kenyans Matthew Kemboi and Moses Kimulwo formed a leading quartet until the halfway mark.
Ayalew and Kimulwo then broke away, with Ayalew appearing poised for victory until Kiplimo unleashed a remarkable burst of speed in the final mile to claim the title.
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Local athletes also made their mark on the event, with Annadale Striders' Eskander Turki finishing as the top Northern Ireland-based athlete in ninth place, clocking an impressive time of 2:22:22 in his marathon debut.
Additionally, 64-year-old Tommy Hughes delivered a standout performance finishing 25th overall with a time of 2:36:37.
Hughes who represented Ireland at the 1992 Olympics has set numerous world age-group records in recent years.
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