Nagpur:
Kenyan athletes hogged the limelight in the third edition of the Nagpur International Marathon For Peace and Non-Violence, organised to coincide with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Sunday.
Kyui John clocked 2.15.20.4 hours to clinch the top spot in the men's 42.195 km marathon, while Afework Ayele Kibret of Ethiopia claimed the second place with 2.15.32.8 hours; Sumbei Fredrick (also from Kenya) finished third clocking 2.16.01.2 hours.
Kenyans ruled the roost in the women's half marathon too, taking all the top three positions. Muia Jane Mwikali needed just 1.13.13.3 hours to capture the crown in the 21.097 km race, while Muthio Kumyu won the second spot with 1.13.15.3 hours. Adimas Kasahun Mamo with 1.13.46.6 hours finished third.
Indian men and women disappointed with their dismal performances. Vipul Kataria, with 2.29.09.7 hours, finished 20th and Dattatraya Jaybhoye finished 22nd position. His timing was 2.29.42.4 hours, followed by Nilesh Wamanrao Bodhe (2.29.51.9 hrs) in the 23rd position.
Asian Games silver medallist and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Kavita Raut finished 13th with a poor timing of 1.19.23.8 hours. Raohini Raut and Monika Raut, with timings of 1.26.13.8 and 1.27.08.8 hours, were placed 16th and 17th respectively.
The winners in the men and the women categories took home cash awards of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively.
More than 1.5 lakh runners, including 60 foreign athletes, participated in the races which started from Kasturchand Park ground and finished at the Yeshwant Stadium.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Union Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Social Justice Minister Mukul Wasnik and Asiad gold medalist boxer Vijender Singh flagged off the race in the morning.
The total prize money was Rs 40 lakh, the organisers said.