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