About 38,000 runners take part in the 2023 Shanghai Marathon on Nov. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba emerged victorious from a three-man battle in the last kilometers at the Shanghai Marathon on Sunday, setting an event record time of two hours five minutes and 35 seconds.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba set an event record in the men's race at the Shanghai Marathon, finishing in two hours five minutes and 35 seconds here on Sunday.
His winning mark surpasses the previous record, set by his compatriot Paul Lonyangata in 2015, who completed the 42.195-kilometer race in 2:07:14.
"The weather was fine today. I could see many people giving me motivation. At the end, it was very competitive, so I tried to push at the 42nd kilometer, and that is how I managed to be position one," said Kipchumba.
Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania finished just four seconds behind, claiming second place.
Ethiopia's Siranesh Yirga Dagne, completing the race in 2:21:28, clinched the women's title.
Having participated in the Shanghai Half Marathon previously, Dagne is quite familiar with the city. "During the race, the spectators on both sides of the track are very enthusiastic. I kissed the ground [after winning the competition.] The scenery of the city is also very beautiful," she said.
Wu Xiangdong was the first Chinese runner to finish the men's race, clocking in at 2:11:53. Zhang Deshun led the Chinese female runners with a time of 2:28:16.
In 2020, the Shanghai Marathon became the first marathon event on the Chinese mainland to be recognized as a Platinum Label Road Race by World Athletics.
According to the organizers, about 12 percent of the 38,000 participants in the 2023 event are from overseas. Among the Chinese runners, more than 10,000 come from outside Shanghai. ■
