Press Release - Prague International Marathon - 5/23/05

For Immediate Release                    
                                           Contact: Diana Rybachenko
                                                    Tel: +420 224 91 92 09
                                                    Fax: +420 224 92 33 55
                                                    


             Cheptot keeps a cool head in hot, humid weather 
                     to win Prague Volkswagen Marathon


Steven Matebo Cheptot kept his head cool under warm and humid weather to 
win Prague's Volkswagen Marathon, in yet another clean sweep of the medals 
by Kenyan runners on Sunday. 

In what proved to be a race with an exciting and unexpected finish the 
30-year-old fared well in the less than ideal running conditions (19 
Celsius, 70 percent humidity during the race) to win in 2.10.42. His task 
was also helped by the fact that the pre-race favorite, who had established 
a clear lead and held it until km 35, Wilson Kiprotich Kebenei suddenly 
quit with a harm-string injury.

Laban Kipngetich was second in 2.11.48 followed by Robert Kiprotich 
Cheruiyot on third place in 2.12.14. Czech Republic's Jan Blaha won the 
national Championships in coming sixth overall in2.17.59. He was also the 
first European to cross the finish line.

Cheptot's time was two minutes over the course record but the winner 
admitted that it would be impossible to go for it under the circumstances. 
"It was too humid" said Cheptot, admitting that in the end he was happy 
that he chose the right race strategy. "I let the others dictate the pace 
and just followed them but at my own pace to save energy. In the end it 
paid off".

The first three together with defending champion Barnabas Koech, Wilson 
Kiprotich Kebenei and Simion Kiprop Tuitoek were in the six Kenyan group 
that formed the leading pack by the half marathon stage. Then Wilson 
Kiprotich decided that it is time to get away from the rest and only Steven 
Cheptot, Robert Kiprotich and Kipngetich formed a trio that stayed close to 
the leader who seemed almost certain to win.

But when at 35 km Kiprotich unexpectedly quit Cheptot just saw his 
opportunity and went for it. 

In the women's event the pre-race favorite might have suffered also under 
the conditions but she went on to confirm her favorite status by coming 
home in 2.28.42.. Experienced Russian Larissa Zousko who finished second on 
2.30.14, prevented yet another Kenyan sweep as Hellen Cherono was third 
with a personal best of 2.31.28

All three admitted afterwards they could have done better had it not been 
for the unpleasant conditions. 

A total of 4646 runners entered this year's full Volkswagen Marathon. 
Another 12,000 opted for the various fun-runs. 




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