2017 Haspa Hamburg Marathon:
1. Tsegaye Mekonnen (Ethiopia) 2:07:26
2. Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda) 2:07:31
3. Jacob Kendagor (Kenya) – 2:08:50
Uganda’s former World and Olympic Champion Stephen Kiprotich put up his best showing in three years when he finished second at the Hamburg International Marathon Sunday morning in Germany.
Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Mekonnen won the sprint to the tape (2:07:26) in the final 100 meters, edging out Kiprotich who clocked 2:07:31.
While the Ugandan was the first Olympic champion to compete in Hamburg’s elite field, 21-year-old Tsegaye Mekonnen was the fastest runner ever entered into the race and was favourite.
The youngster has a Personal Best of 2:04:32 from winning the Dubai Marathon in January 2014, while Kiprotich’s personal best is from the Tokyo Marathon in 2015, 2:06:33.
He had finished 4th last year.
Kiprotich, 28, has won two major global titles but victory in a big city marathon is still missing so far in his running portfolio. He however did win the Enschede marathon in 2011 with 2:07:20.
The elite runners, including Kiprotich, will share 300,000 Euros (Sh1.16 billion).
(Additional report by Independent)