Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - For the first time in history, the Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon, in its 14th edition held last Sunday had a Kenyan couple winning together. Joshua Kemei and Eunice Kirwa, who have lived together for 5 years and have a 3-year-old son, Kipchumba won the men and women categories of the race, which had a record of over 18,000 registered athletes, starting at São Conrado beach and finishing 21,097 meters at Aterro do Flamengo.

Under a pleasant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and 91% air humidity, runners did not have major difficulties to keep the pace suggested by their coaches. Joshua Kemei forced the rhythm from the start opening a great advantage from others. The women’s race had a bunch of 6 leading since its start, including Brazilian Marily dos Santos, who finishes in 5th, as the best Brazilian of the race.

"My worry was always to read the race. I made a commitment to my coach (Brazilian Moacir Marconi, ‘Coquinho’) of winning. I actually thought it would be difficult, but put a lot of energy to achieve my goal, said the champion, who led from half of the race to its finish.

Eunice Kirwa, was twice the champion of Rio Half Marathon - Joshua, vice in 2009, thought it was more difficult. She saved energy to the final few kilometers, showing absolute superiority. ‘It wasn’t easy, but cannot complain. I won using the strategy I had planned,’ she said.

Eunice, who had won the Vitoria 10 miles the previous week, confessed that missing his son is the hardest part of being in Brazil, where she intends to stay until November 5th. ‘He is living with my parents and I call him to catch up. It is hard, but part of our profession.

Brazilian Force - Franck Caldeira entered the Rio Half Marathon as a Maverick. Bi-champion of the race, He suffered a car accident in the city of Senador Amaral, in Minas Gerais, and still recovers from an ankle injury. He had also to face a sad moment with his mother dead after struggling against a disease.

‘I am sure my mother is happy with my victory. To me, this second place is a real victory. It is a proof of my recovery. I came from behind, forced the rhythm and finished only 25 meters behind the champion’, celebrates frank, athlete of Cruzeiro, who was fighting for his third victory in the race. ‘I managed to pass a great bunch of foreigners in the final stretch, proving that we can run equally with them’.

Damião Ancelmo de Souza, third, followed Frank’s rhythm. ‘We were right behind the Africans, and did not give up. From kilometer 12,we forced the pace. I have run the Rio Half Marathon for some time and I have conquered a place on the podium this time. I am very happy’, said the athlete from Alagoas, from Pé de Vento club, of Petropolis.

In the women’s category, Marily dos Santos led the race for a long time, but lost her position to sixth at Aterro do Flamengo, to Kenyans, who were pushing harder. In the last meters she managed to pass one of them to guarantee her place in the podium. ‘I tried to keep the pace until I couldn’t, but did not give up on a last position on the podium’, admitted the athlete, who was the best Brazilian of last year’s edition, with a third position.

Results

Men
1- Joshua Kiprugut Kemei (Quênia/Fila) - 1h04min03s
2- Franck Caldeira (Cruzeiro) - 1h04min14s
3- Damião Ancelmo de Souza (Pé de Vento/Gran Cursos) - 1h0m4in21s
4- Titus Kosgei Kibii (Quênia/Fila) - 1h04min26s
5- Minda Hirpa Namomisa (Etiópia/Fila) - 1h05min15s
6- Giomar Pereira da Silva (Cruzeiro) - 1h05min30s
7- Luís Paulo Antunes (Cruzeiro) - 1h05min35s
8- Francisco Barbosa dos Santos (Flávio Freire) - 1h05min37s
9- Valdir Sérgio de Oliveira (Cruzeiro) - 1h06min09s
10- Giovani dos Santos (Pé de Vento/Gran Cursos) - 1h06min12s

Women
1- Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa (Quênia/Fila) - 1h14min37s
2- Shewarge Alene Amare (Etiópia/Luasa/Taubaté) - 1h14min54s
3- Rumokol Elizabeth Chepkanan (Quênia/Luasa/Taubaté) - 1h15min06s
4- Yeshanbel Simegn Abnet (Etiópia/Fila) - 1h15min10s
5- Marily dos Santos (Mizuno/Pojuca) - 1h15min18s
6- Nancy Jepkosgei Kipron (Quência/Fila) - 1h15min33s
7- Edielza Alves dos Santos (Seljelp/Pindamonhangaba) - 1h17min01s
8- Marizete Moreira dos Santos (Free Córner/CAIXA) - 1h17min53
9- Maria Zeferina Baldaia (Cerquímica/Mizuno) - 1h19min47s
10- Elizabeth Esteves de Souza (CAIXA) - 1h20min49s

The Rio de Janeiro International Half Marathon is a Rede Globo event, organized by Yescom, sponsored by CAIXA, Adidas and Fisk, co-sponsored by TAM Viagens, Montevérgine, Gatorade, 3 Corações, HCor and specially supported by Rio de Janeiro City Administration. It is held under supervision of IAAF, AIMS, Brazilian Athletics Federation (CBAt) and Rio de Janeiro Athletics Federation (Farj).

Further information on http://www.yescom.com.br/meiadorio/2010/ingles/index.asp

João Pedro Nunes - Mtb 11.675
E-mail: Nunes@zdl.com.br