It was a clean sweep for Kenyan athletes in the men’s category during the 39th edition of Telcel Mexico City Marathon held on Sunday in Mexico.

Edwin Kiptoo led a 1-2-3 sweep. Kiptoo crossed the finish line with a time of 2:10.34 as Kenneth Kiplagat was second with 2:12.24 and Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo closed the podium places in 2:13:44.

“It was a good race and I was comfortable in winning. My target was 2:09 but today you cannot run for time. But I am happy I won the race,” said Kiptoo.

Kiptoo trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County alongside a talented group of marathoners known as Mwisho wa Lami. The group includes Wilson Kipsang the former world record holder (2:02:23 personal best) and John Komen. The latter has a personal best of 2:07:13, a time that Kiptoo would certainly like to beat one day.

In 2016 Kiptoo won the Beirut Marathon in 2:13:19 ahead of Ethiopia’s Abebe Gizachew (2:14:06), with reigning champion Jackson Limo third (2:15:02).

In 2017 he won the Breda Half Marathon in Holland in 1:00:42. In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Beriso Shankule registered a time of 2:25:05, followed at a distance by the Kenyan Cynthia Chepchirchir, with a mark of 2:31:06.

Muliye Dekebo Haylemariyam (Ethiopia) was third in 2:36:49.

In Antrim Coast Half Marathon held on Sunday in the United Kingdom, Ethiopians Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Jemal Yimer successfully defended their titles.

Jemal Yimer clocked 59:04 to win the men’s race while Yalemzerf Yehualaw won the women’s race in 1:04:22. Both runners set new UK all-comers records. Alfred Ngeno(Kenya) was second in 1:01:00.

Kenyan Shadrack Kimining came third in 1:01:08.Tsehay Gemechu (Ethiopia) came second after clocking 1:05:01.

Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkemoi Mutai was third after timing 1:07:37 in the women’s category.