Kenyans Kiplimo and Jepkemei clinch Belfast wins
Beatrice Jepkemei’s time cut one minute and 47 seconds off the previous Belfast women’s event record
Kenya’s Beatrice Jepkemei clinched victory in a women’s race record time at the Belfast City Marathon as her compatriot Mathew Kiplimo won the men’s event.
Jepkemei’s winning time of two hours 35 minutes and three seconds cut one minute and 47 seconds off the previous women’s mark.
The Kenyan, 26, withstood a late challenge from Morocco’s Lalla Aziza to win by 17 seconds.
Kiplimo, running his debut marathon, took men’s victory in 2:14.44 as he passed long-time leader Bahrain’s Aweke Ayalew in the final mile.
Ayalew was eight seconds behind the winner with Kenya’s Moses Kilmulwo completing the men’s podium positions in 2:15.10.
Last year’s women’s winner, Ethiopians Shewaye Woldemeskel was third in 2:39.58, which left her 23 seconds ahead of North Belfast’s 2022 winner Glady Ganiel who took fourth.
The previous women’s race record of 2:36.59 was set by Ukrainian Nataliya Lehonkova in 2012.
More to follow.