Titus Ekiru shatters Honolulu Marathon course record
A strong race from Kenya's Ekiru and Murikui
On Sunday morning, Titus Ekiru of Kenya shattered the Honolulu Marathon course record, running a 2:08:00 to defend his title and win the race by more than five minutes. Second place went to Wilson Chebet in 2:13:14 and third place to Edwin Koech in 2:14:20.
Titus Ekiru repeats as @HNLmarathon champion in record time, unofficially 2:08. @StarAdvertiser pic.twitter.com/Dq9a3LmILW
— Jason Kaneshiro (@jasonkaneshiro) December 8, 2019
Kenya’s Margaret Murikui was the women’s winner, in 2:31:11. Betsy Saina, who was third at the Toronto Marathon (where she ran her personal best of 2:22), and 10th in Boston this year, was second on Sunday. Third place went to American Renee Metivier in 2:43:18 who, with that time, has secured her spot at the US Olympics Trials.
Defending @HNLmarathon champion Titus Ekiru and pacer Reuben Kiprop Kerio open up a 6 second gap near Kuliouou. Heading into Hawaii Kai. @StarAdvertiser pic.twitter.com/yKNGhVpr3j
— Jason Kaneshiro (@jasonkaneshiro) December 8, 2019
An odd result came from Japan’s Suguru Osako, who finished in 2:17:30–his slowest marathon to date. The Japanese record-holder and former member of the Nike Oregon Project holds a personal best of 2:05:50 from Chicago 2018. He debuted in 2017 at 2:07 at the Fukuoka Marathon. His run on Sunday was reportedly a training effort.
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The Merrie Mile took place on Saturday and the event ran as a great equalizer. This means that the women were given a head start, with the men chasing them down to the finish line. The idea is that the fastest man and woman will cross the finish line together.
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In overall results, Edward Cheserek won in 3:54 (4:22) , second place went to Brimon Kiprono in 3:57 (4:25), third place to Patrick Joseph in 3:57 (4:25) and fourth to Elinor Purrier in 4:25. Second, third and fourth were extremely tight across the finish line. Saturday’s win makes Cheserek a three-time champion.
Full Merrie Mile results can be found here.