10 Mile Marathon in Zaandam, Netherlands
Women athletes have made their mark in the 10,000 meters races, attracting audiences from around the globe. Quite similarly, the 10 mile event held in Zaandam, Netherlands was no different which was won by 29-year-old Kenyan born Dutchwoman Hilda Kibet.
Having an impressive track record during 2009, Kibet was being considered amongst the pre-race favourites for the event.
Despite practicing in a different terrain and running in the cold weather in Zaandam, the organizers had made wonderful arrangements to facilitate the athletes along with a vibrant and supportive crowd on the sidelines to cheer them on.
The women marathon race began 6 minutes prior to the male counterparts. The vibrant spectators present at the stadium kept the momentum of the race, right from beginning till the end.
Lornah Kiplagat, the aunt of Hilda Kibet was also competing for the title and as soon as the race started, she took the lead alongside Ethiopian rival Mestewat Tufa. The trio of Lornah Kiplagat, Mestewat and Hilda Kibet kept the attention of the spectators
till the finishing line. Throughout the race, the trio fought tooth and nail against one another with greater enthusiasm, keeping the audience from making an early prediction. However, at the end, Hilda Kibet out did her close rivals by a considerable margin.
The race might have produced some different results had the rain not intervened. With rain constantly pouring on the participants, the 17 C temperature made it almost impossible for the rest of the women athletes to keep their focus intact. Besides grabbing
the title, Hilda ended with a 5000 Euro bonus as well. Despite the cold weather and rain that Hilda had to fight with, she clocked the fastest time of the year.
On the other hand, 19-year-old John Mwangangi from Kenya won the men’s marathon event. As it was expected right from the beginning, the men’s race was clearly dominated by African runners with Kenyan runner Jonathan Maiyo leading the pack. However, not all
of them could keep the pace till the end as Maiyo along with Mwangangi, Ayele Abshero, and Masai outperformed the rest of the participants while hitting the finishing line in 28:16 minutes.
It was neck-and-neck before Mwangangi powered ahead, just missing the world’s fastest time of the year with a margin of only 3 seconds. Though the young runner could not make the time, experts believe he might make it in the days to come.
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