Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Monday 24 april 2017
Mary Keitany breaks a marathon record with 3rd London win

ROB HARRIS Karoki was third.
AP Sports Writer “In the beginning the
LONDON (AP) — Kenyan race was very fast and we
runner Mary Keitany broke were inside world record
Paula Radcliffe’s women- pace. It was the pace I
only marathon world was preparing for,” Wanjiru
record on Sunday with a told the BBC. “We tried to
third victory in London, maintain that pace for half
while Daniel Wanjiru won of the race.
the men’s race for the first From there it was becoming
time. tougher and tougher. The
The 35-year-old Keitany sun was coming and the
completed the 26.2-mile day was beautiful, but we
(42.2-kilometer) course in don’t need too much sun!”
2 hours, 17 minutes and There was a British winner
1 second to shave 41 in the wheelchair race,
seconds off Radcliffe’s with David Weir storming
12-year-old mark. to his seventh victory in the
The retired British athlete event to end four years
still remains a world-record of frustration since his last
holder. Radcliffe fought six success. The 37-year-old
years ago with the IAAF to Weir retired from track
ensure her 2003 marathon competition last year after
time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, the six-time Paralympic
25 seconds — with two champion failed to win a
male pacemakers — was medal at the Rio de Janeiro
still recognized as a record Games.
rather than just a world- “It’s the first time I’ve felt
best. comfortable in years,” Weir
Keitany was on track to said. “It’s been a tough
break that outright world four months personally. I’ve
record halfway through Kenya’s Mary Keitany crosses the finish line to win the London Marathon in London on, Sunday, had a lot of background
Sunday’s race in the British April 23, 2017. Associated Press problems in my personal life.
capital in sunny conditions, It’s been tough, especially
but the pace eased up. She changed a little bit and it area in Kenya so it was not The men’s race had a royal after Rio. I needed to focus
still ran to victory to seize felt better than before. The too different for me.” start, with Prince William, and sort out my head. I
the women-only record. weather was really good The women’s marathon wife Kate and brother Harry knew I had it in the last
Tirunesh Dibaba was 55 this year. Last year it was was missing its defending pressing a button to sound corner.
seconds behind Keitany very, very cold. My body champion. Keitany’s the klaxon. The 24-year-old All I was thinking was ‘win,
while fellow Ethiopian, felt fit enough and I have compatriot, Jemima Wanjiru won his first major win, win.’”
Aselefech Mergia, was trained well and I tried to Sumgong, tested positive marathon in 2 hours, 5 In the women’s wheelchair
third. push all the time. I’m very for the blood booster minutes, 48 seconds. That winner, Manuela Schar of
“It was very fast pace and happy with the finish time. EPO in a surprise out-of- was nine seconds faster Switzerland followed up her
I tried to follow it,” Keitany Parts of the course are hilly competition doping test in than Kenenisa Bekele of Boston win on Monday with
said. “I think the course has but I train in a very similar Kenya in February. Ethiopia, while Bedan success in London.q

Valverde dedicates his Liege-

Bastogne-Liege win to Scarponi

Liege classic on Sunday best classics riders in and is one behind Belgian
to Italian cyclist Michele cycling history and his great Eddy Merckx’s
Scarponi, who died after latest win comes four days record.
a collision with a van while after winning the Fleche But Valverde’s mind was
training on Saturday at the Wallonne (Walloon Arrow) far away from his own
age of 37. for a record fifth time. achievements.
Valverde caught Irishman Martin was second in that “My first words are to
Dan Martin about 200 race as well, which was dedicate this victory to
meters (yards) from the also run over hilly terrain. Michele Scarponi, who was
end and comfortably beat Valverde, who turns 37 a great friend of mine,” a
Spain’s Alejandro Valverde of the Movistar team celebrates as him in a sprint to the line. on Tuesday, has also tearful Valverde said. “My
he crosses the finish line to win the Liege-Bastogne-Liege cycling Polish rider Michal secured victories at the prize money will go to his
classic in Ans, Belgium on Sunday April 23, 2017. Ireland’s Daniel Kwiatkowski finished in Tour of Andalusia, Tour of family.”
Martin of the Quick-Step finished second and Poland’s Michal third place, crossing three Basque Country and Tour A minute’s applause for
Kwiatkowski of Team Sky finished third. seconds behind them on of Catalonia this season. Scarponi, the Giro d’Italia
Associated Press the 258-kilometer (160- His win at Liege-Bastogne- winner in 2011, was held
LIEGE, Belgium (AP) Valverde dedicated his mile) route. Liege equaled Italian prior to the start of the
— Spaniard Alejandro win at the Liege-Bastogne- Valverde is one of the Moreno Argentin’s tally race.q