Yuki Kawauchi wins Perth City to Surf Marathon in record time
Yuki Kawauchi of Saitama Prefectural Government team produced an upset in the Perth City to Surf marathon on 31st August, by winning in 2.12.55 and breaking the course record set last year by Kenyan Luka Chelimo, who finished in second place. Chelimo, who won the event in 2011 and 2013, finished in a time of 2.15.18, ahead of his compatriot Simon Kirui who crossed the line less than a minute later.
The men’s marathon was the star event in Perth’s Chevron City to Surf for Activ, Western Australia’s largest community sporting event, which saw 45,000 people run, walk, jog and wheel in races from 4km to marathon distance. Commenting on the race, Yuki Kawauchi said: “Each race has its own difficulties and beauties but this course is very beautiful and I enjoyed participating.”
Much of the race went by with a pack of four featuring Kawauchi, fellow 2:08 runner Samuel Woldeamanuel Gebremichael (Ethiopia), course record holder Luka Chelimo (Kenya) and his countryman Simon Kirui (Kenya) up front. Gebremichael, who lost to Kawauchi at July’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon, was the first casualty. A move by Chelimo around 29 km looked like it might add Kawauchi to the casualty list as Chelimo and Kirui pulled around 100 m ahead, but as his usual way Kawauchi came back aggressively in the final 5 km to pass both Kenyans.
Crossing the line in 2:12:55,s he took 21 seconds off the record Chelimo set at last year’s race, his fifth marathon course record win in eight starts so far this year
Sources, and for more information see:
http://perth.perthcitytosurf.com
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/city-to-surf/
http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.jp