The ASML Marathon Eindhoven was won by Enock Kinyamal for the men on Sunday. The Kenyan distanced himself from the competition in the final kilometers and ran to a time of 2.06.28. His personal best was 2.10.33, run earlier this year in Copenhagen. Among the women, Vivian Jerotich was the fastest.
The top runners at the front stayed together as a group for a long time. At the end of the marathon, Kinyamal clearly proved to be too strong for the other runners. It was not a course record, which is held by Kenneth Kipkemoi: 2.04.52.
The rest of the stage was also Kenyan. Raphael Kolian came second in 2.08.09, Kennedy Kipyego finished third with 2.08.30.
Manuel de Backer was the fastest Dutchman with 2.16.58. He walked about a minute off his PR. “It was super hard work. Without a hare, the wind was in the lead, it was a fight every step of the way in the last kilometers. There really is nothing left to do. But when you get to the city and everyone calls your name, I am so happy. Now rest a bit and then enjoy. Yes, with a few beers.”
Very pregnant girlfriend
Dennis de Freytas from Etten-Leur was the fastest Brabander with 2.27.32. Afterwards he wanted to go straight to his girlfriend. Understandable, because she is heavily pregnant.
Fastest woman
Among the women, Vivian Jerotich was in a class of her own. The Kenyan crossed the finish line after 2.26.39. Bregje Smits, originally from Eindhoven, was the fastest from Brabant in 2.36.58. “I feel nauseous, that wasn’t really the plan. I’m disappointed that it bothered me so much, because my legs felt good. I could have gone faster, too bad.”
Halve marathon
Ties van den Hurk won the half marathon with a time of 1.06.34. He surprised himself with that. “I actually ran for a friend of mine, but I turned out to be the strongest.”
