Chepkwony, Kiros win Honolulu Marathon
Kenyan Gilbert Chepkwony broke from a tightly clustered lead pack of seven runners with an aggressive sprint at Mile 22 to win the 2013 Honolulu Marathon in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 46 seconds.
Ehitu Kiros of Ethiopia put on a surge at the 24-mile mark at the start of the Diamond Head hill and won a closely fought victory in the women's race of Sunday's Honolulu Marathon. Her time in the slow-paced women's competition was two hours, 36 minutes and two seconds.
Gilbert Chepkwony of Kenya won the Honolulu Marathon Sunday in a non-record time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, 47 seconds.
Chepkwony out dueled two-time winner Nicholas Chelimo, also of Kenya, down the stretch. Chelimo crossed the line in 2:19:38.
Saeki Makino of Japan held a sizable lead most of the way, but faded after 22 miles and was overtaken by a pack of elite professional runners including Chepwoni and Chelimo. Makino fell back and finished 16th.
Ehitu Kiros of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:36:02, out kicking countrywoman Woynishet Girma who finished eight seconds later.
Defending champion Valentina Galimova was third in 2:36:13.
Nathan Carlson was the first local men’s finisher in 2:45:39 and Polina Babkina the first local woman in 2:46:40.
A total of 22,599 entrants started the 26.2 mile race, out of 30,568 entries for the 41st annual event.
