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Eliude Kipchoge Wins 2014 Chicago Marathon

Kenya’s Eliude Kipchoge won the 2014 Chicago Marathon on Saturday in a time of 2:04:11.

The 29-year old ran a 1:02:11 first half and finished it with a slight negative split of 1:02:00 over the last 13.1 miles. It was a tight top-3 with less than 21 seconds separating the three.

His fellow countrymen helped sweep the podium with second place going to Sammy Kitwara in 2:04:28 and third place going to Dickson Chumba in 2:04:32.

The highest finishing American was Bobby Curtis finishing in 9th place in 2:11:20.

Rita Jeptoo Top Woman at 2014 Chicago Marathon

On the women’s side, the great Rita Jeptoo (Kenya) won the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:24:35.

Second place went to Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba in 2:25:37 and third place to Kenyan Florence Kiplagat in 2:25:57.

Highest finished American woman was Amy Hastings in 5th place with a time of 2:27:03.

Full Results from the 2014 Chicago Marathon (HERE)

Both winners won $100,000 each for their wins. Jeptoo won an additional $55,000 for the series win.

Today the 2012 USA Olympic Marathon Trails were held at the Chevron Houston Marathon down in Texas.  It was a very speedy and fast day as four Americans went under 2:10:00 for the first time ever during the same marathon.

American male Meb Keflezighi won the Houston Marathon with the fastest time of 2:09:08 which is a new personal record (PR) for Meb.

Ryan Hall finished in a close 2nd place at 2:09:30.

2012 USA Olympic Marathon Trials Male Results

1. Meb Keflezighi – 2:09:08
2. Ryan Hall – 2:09:30
3. Abdi Abdirahman – 2:09:47
4. Dathan Ritzenhein – 2:09:55
5. Brett Gotcher – 2:11:06

It looks like it will be Meb, Ryan, Abdi representing the USA at the Olympics with Dathan as the 1st alternative.

Shalane Flanagan was the female winner as she held off Desiree Davila to finish with a time of 2:25:38.  Flanagan moves to 6-0 in the head-to-head matchup with Davila to date.

That means Flanagan, Davila, and Goucher will represent in the Olympics with Hastings as the alternate.

2012 USA Olympic Marathon Trials Female Results

1. Shalane Flanagan – 2:25:38
2. Desiree Davila – 2:25:55
3. Kara Goucher – 2:26:06
4. Amy Hastings – 2:27:17
5. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom – 2:29:45
6. Deena Kastor – 2:30:40
7. Clara Grandt – 2:30:46
8. Alissa McKaig – 2:31:56
9. Dot McMahan – 2:32:16
10. Magdalena Lewy Boulet – 2:33:42

Congrats to all of the men and women who qualified for the 2012 London Olympics today. Way to Run It Fast!!!

[women finish line photo by Hideki Kino. Follow her on Twitter @RunKino]

Ethiopian Markos Geneti won a soaked 2011 Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday with a speedy 2:06:35 finish.  Geneti won $125,000.00 for finishing first and winning the gender challenge.  The women were spotted 17 minutes.

Remarkably Geneti had never run a marathon before.  The 26 year-old Ethiopian complained of a side stitch throughout but none of it seemed to matter as he set a record for the fastest California marathon time….ever!

Defending champion Wesley Korir finished back in 4th place with a 2:13:23 finish.

Korir hit a massive wall at mile 21 and thought he was done, for good, “”First of all, I’d like to thank God that I’m still alive,” said Korir, smiling. “I thought it was the end of my life.”

Top 5 Male Finishers

Top 5 Female Finishers

Look Up L.A. Marathon Results for All Finishers

Congrats to all runners who braved the extreme conditions to complete the L.A. Marathon

Related Los Angeles Marathon Links

10 Best Things About the Los Angeles Marathon

Markos Geneti Wins 2011 Los Angeles Marathon in Debut (Results)

Flea Runs Los Angeles Marathon in 3:53:00 (pic)

List of 2011 Los Angeles Marathon Elite Runners

2011 L.A. Marathon Finisher’s Medal

Here is a quick rundown and list of the top elite runners lacing them up at the 26th Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, March 20, 2011.

It should be a battle royale between Kenyans Wesley Korir and Benson Barus.

2011 L.A. Marathon Elite Men

Wesley Korir – (Kenya, Age 28) Best L.A. Marathon 2:08:24 – 2009 Los Angeles Marathon

Benson Barus – (Kenya, Age 30) Best Marathon 2:08:34 – Milan Marathon

Getu Birbo – (Ethiopia, Age 26) Best Marathon 2:10:51 – Paris Marathon

Shadrack Biwott – (Kenya, Age 26) Best Marathon: Debut Marathon

Gebo Burka – (Ethiopia, Age 23) Best Marathon 2:10:18 – Cannes Marathon

Jonathan Cheruiyot – (Kenya, Age 27) Best Marathon 2:12:42 – Madrid Marathon

William Chebor – (Kenya, Age 28) Best Marathon 2:10:13 – 2010 San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

2011 L.A. Marathon Elite Women

Mary Akor – (United States via Nigeria, Age: 34) Best Marathon: 2:33:50 – Twin Cities Marathon

Julia Arkhipova – (Kyrghizstan, Age: 27) Best Marathon: 2:32:09 – Baltimore Under Armor Marathon

Magdeline Chemjor – (Kenya, Age: 32) Best Marathon: 2:28:16 – 2007 Amsterdam Marathon

Buzunesh Deba – (Ethiopia, Age: 23) Best Marathon: 2:27:24 – 2010 Twin Cities Marathon

Mare Dibaba – (Ethiopia, Age: 21) Best Marathon: 2:24:27 – Commerzbank Marathon (Frankfurt, Germany)

Amy Hastings – (United States, Age: 27) Best Marathon 2:43:16 – Twin Cities Marathon

Leah Kiprono – (Kenya, Age: 30) Best Marathon 2:43:16 – 2010 Twin Cities Marathon

Related Los Angeles Marathon Links

10 Best Things About the Los Angeles Marathon

Markos Geneti Wins 2011 Los Angeles Marathon in Debut (Results)

Flea Runs Los Angeles Marathon in 3:53:00 (pic)

List of 2011 Los Angeles Marathon Elite Runners

2011 L.A. Marathon Finisher’s Medal

[source: L.A. Marathon Runner & Spectator Guide]