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Vibian Chepkirui made it two victories in a row after she won the Vienna City Marathon in Austria yesterday, successfully defending the title she won last year at the same course. 

The diminutive athlete set a new course record after clocking 2:20:59 to rule the roost at the coveted race. 

She was met by the Kenyan ambassador to Austria Njeru Githae and other Kenyans living in Austria to celebrate her feat. 

Another Kenyan Ruth Chebitok finished the race second in a time of 2:21:03 while Sheila Jerotich completed Kenya’s clean sweep in the race by finishing third in a time of 2:23:01.

Last year Chepkirui surprised many in the Austrian capital when she won her debut race at the classic distance, but this time she reassured the doubters by defending the race in style. 

In the men’s marathon, Cosmas Muteti, who finished fifth during last year’s Berlin Marathon, clocked 2:06.53 to carry the day, leading his compatriot Leonard Langat, who came second in 2:06.59, in a one-two finish for Kenyans. 

The 30-year-old Muteti was one of the pre-race favourites and prevailed against his compatriot Langat and Oqbe Kibrom (2:07:25) from Eritrea. 

Organisers of the 39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon registered more than 31,000 entries including events at shorter distances. About 8,000 of them were marathon runners. 

The Vienna City Marathon which is among a number of top road races that experienced an unusually high number of late cancellations is Austria’s biggest running event and a World Athletics Label Road Race.