Posted: September 13, 2009  :

(RRW) Athletics: Kitwara Prevails At Fast Rotterdam Half-Marathon

From David Monti © 2009 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com NOTE: Look for detailed results on this event in tomorrow's Race Results Weekly --Ed. Kenya's top road racer, Sammy Kitwara, turned back all challengers at today's Fortis Rotterdam Half-Marathon in the Netherlands, and became only the sixth man in history to crack the 59-minute barrier for the standard 21.097 km distance. Kitwara, 22, clocked a course record 58:58, ten seconds ahead of compatirot Jonathan Maiyo, who also ran a personal best 59:08. The diminutive James Kwambai, the Kenyan who is the third fastest marathoner of all-time, finished third in 59:09. The first seven men, all Kenyans, broke the one-hour mark. The world record holder for the distance and the reigning Olympic marathon gold medalist, Samuel Wanjiru, finished ninth in 1:01:08. He's preparing for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11. According to data provided by athlete agent Zane Branson, the lead pack passed through 5 km in a blazing 13:37, and 10 km in 27:44. The 15-K mark was reached in 41:53. Results of the women's race were not immediately available. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest