Weekend recap: Halifax man adds another win at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon
Two Ontario runners crash the marathon podium in Halifax
Besides North America’s biggest marathon taking place last weekend in New York, three other marathons quietly made headlines. The Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon returned to the streets of Halifax on Sunday after going virtual in 2020. The marathon crowned two new champions, and runners were eager to chase 2022 Boston qualifying times before the Nov. 12 deadline.
Dennis Mbelenzi of Halifax completed his trio of Maritime marathons this fall, adding a win at the Blue Nose Marathon. He also won the P.E.I. Marathon in October and was a close second at the Fredericton Marathon in September. Mbelenzi was the first person to cross the finish line in 2:29:12, 15 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Mark Brown of N.S. (2:44:01).
Mbelenzi averaged a time of 2:29 throughout his three fall marathons. The Maritime marathoner hopes to run Boston next spring and Chicago in the fall of 2022.
In the women’s marathon, Toronto-based runner Quinlan Hickey won the race in her first-ever visit to Halifax. Hickey entered the race at the last minute with the hope of chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time for 2022. She beat the time she needed by 27 minutes, running a 3:02:48. She currently trains with Toronto’s Pace&Mind club, coached by Réjean Chaisson.
Michelle Brady of Guelph, Ont. was the second woman across the finish line in 3:15:57, shortly followed by Kristy Moore of Halifax (3:17:45).
Istanbul International Marathon
The Istanbul International Marathon held over the weekend welcomed over 20,000 participants and 51 elites from around the world. This race is a Gold Label race by World Athletics and holds the exclusive title of being the world’s only intercontinental marathon, starting in Asia and finishing in Europe.
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The men’s race ended up being a close finish, as Victor Kiplangat of Kenya finished first in 2:10:18. He was shortly followed by his compatriot Robert Kipkemboi, who finished behind Kiplangat by five seconds. Solomon Mutai of Uganda was third in the three-man sprint to the finish, seven seconds behind the winner.
In the women’s race, it was Sheila Jerotich who was first in 2:24:15. This marked Jerotich’s first win at a Gold Label race. She just missed out on a medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, finishing fourth in the marathon. Fellow Kenyan Jackeline Chepngeno finished in second place, six seconds behind Jerotich (2:24:21).
Los Angeles Marathon
John Korir followed his brother Wesley’s legacy at the LA Marathon, winning the race for the first time, in 2:12:48. Korir competed in the race in 2019 but had to settle for second after being passed in the last mile of the race.
In 2019, John Korir led the Los Angeles Marathon until the final mile,only to get outsprinted and had to settle for second. Today he busted a huge surge at mile 19 and closed at 4:50 pace to win in 2:12:48 (5:04 for the race!) His brother, Wesley Korir, won the LA marathon twice! pic.twitter.com/voZvnv1M4U
— Los Angeles Marathon (@lamarathon) November 7, 2021
This year, Korir received his redemption, finishing nearly six minutes better than his countryman Edwin Kimutai (2:18:01). Eritrea’s Amanuel Mesel Tikue was third in 2:18:17.
John’s brother is two-time LA Marathon champion Wesley Korir, a Kenyan-Canadian runner who has spent time training in Waterloo, Ont.
Father-daughter duo running London Marathon to support girls in India
In the women’s race, Welsh athlete Natasha Cockram won the race, dropping the pack with 10 km to go. Cockram was 17th at the London Marathon last month. Both Cockram and Korir took home the first-place prize purse of USD $6,000.
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