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| February 19, 2007 | Monday | Safar 1, 1428 |
Kenya's Njenga wins Tokyo marathon
TOKYO, Feb 18: Japanese-based Kenyan runner Daniel Njenga overcame rainy and cold conditions to win the Tokyo marathon on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Njenga sprinted ahead of the frontrunners at the 25-kilometre (15-mile) point and never looked back, crossing the finish line well ahead of the pack in two hours, nine minutes and 45 seconds.
“It was too cold and I couldn't run at a faster pace, but I'm really happy to win the race,” said Njenga, three-time runner-up in the Chicago marathon in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
“I thought I would not win unless I can run my usual marathon. I had expected my coach to be with me on the road and I saw him after passing the 25 kilometres. I ran comfortably afterwards. I'm really happy about the victory.
“I won the Tokyo marathon in 2004 and still I wasn't chosen for the Olympics. I was very, very disappointed. So this victory is the best award for me,” added Njenga.
Japan's Tomoyuki Sato came in second in 2:11:22, but failed to make the 2:09:30 cut needed to qualify for the world championships in Osaka in August.
His compatriot Satoshi Irifune, who was fourth in the Doha Asian Games in December, finished third in 2:12:44, while Athens Olympic bronze medallist Vanderlei De Lima finished sixth in 2:16:08.
“I should have run more closely to Njenga, but I'm satisfied that I finished top among the Japanese runners,” said Sato.—AFP
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