This archive report was first published on 27 October 2019.
On Sunday, October 27, 2019, Valary Jemeli Aiyabei made history by winning the gold medal for Kenya in the Frankfurt Marathon. The 2019 edition of the marathon saw Aiyabei face stiff competition from Ethiopian athletes, but she managed to breast the tape in 2:19:10.
With a well-planned strategy, Aiyabei led from the start and maintained a steady pace throughout the race. Her tactic proved successful, and she outperformed the Ethiopian duo of Alemu Kebede and Wondimagegn Assefa, who secured silver and bronze with times of 2:21:10 and 2:22:11, respectively.
Other Kenyan athletes, Lonah Chemtai and Caroline Cheptanui, finished fourth and fifth with times of 2:23:11 and 2:24:42, respectively. The men's race, however, was a disappointing outing for Kenya, as Martin Kosgey came in fourth after losing steam in the last kilometer.
Bekele Terefa and Arega Dawit from Ethiopia broke away from Kosgey and secured the gold and silver medals with times of 2:07:08 and 2:07:10, respectively. Yimer Aweke from Burundi took the bronze medal with a time of 2:07:12.
Men's Top Five:
- Bekele Terefa - 2:07:08
- Arega Dawit - 2:07:10
- Yimer Aweke - 2:07:12
- Martin Kosgey - 2:07:20
- Mark Kiptoo - 2:08:09
Women's Top Five:
- Valary Jemeli Aiyabei - 2:19:10
- Alemu Kebede - 2:21:10
- Wondimagegn Assefa - 2:22:11
- Lonah Chemtai - 2:23:11
- Caroline Cheptanui - 2:24:42
