Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012

2009-02-08
A KENYAN DOUBLE WINS HONG KONG STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG MARATHON 2009 IN RECORD TOTAL FIELD OF 50,000 RUNNERS

A record total number of runners were led across the finish line by a Kenyan double with Cyprian Kiogora Mwobi taking the men’s honours and his compatriot, Winnie Frida Kwamboka Nyansikera winning the women’s division in today’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2009.

Near perfect conditions saw both Marathon runners win comfortably, well clear of other competitors, to finish amid a carnival atmosphere at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.

Last year’s runner-up 30-year-old Mwobi recorded a personal best, winning in a time of 2:14:57, 26 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Tubei John Chirchir (2:15:23). Kenyan Rotich Nelson Kirwa ran third (2:16:16), seeing the top three all complete the 42.195km course in under 2:17.

Defending champion Japan’s Fukuoka Koichiro finished outside the top ten.

Fellow Kenyan Winnie Nyansikera finished with a time of 2:41:25, more than six minutes ahead of Thailand’s Sunisa Saylomyen (2:47:33). Local favourite Zheng Wenrong of the PRC finished third in a time of 2:49:22.

Kenya also proved themselves the quickest marathon runners in the world with today’s wins by Cyprian Kiogara Mwobi and Winnie Nyansikera in the fourth and final leg of the Standard Chartered’s Greatest Race on Earth (GROE) which encompasses four of the world’s most grueling marathons in Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong. The wins secured victory for the Kenyan men’s and women’s teams in the Africa category of GROE and the first prize of US$80,000 for each team.

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km Challenge attracted more than 55,000 runners with about 25 nations represented.

Standard Chartered Bank’s “Seeing is Believing” Global Goodwill ambassador, Henry Wainyoke with this teammate Joseph Kibunja ran across the finish line to rapturous applause from his Hong Kong fans to complete the half marathon.

Mr Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited said: “We’re delighted that today’s event was such a success. This event has once again captured the imagination of the people of Hong Kong who came out onto the streets to urge the runners on. It has indeed served to ‘cheer up’ Hong Kong as everyone united behind the runners who come from all walks of life.

“The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has come to serve as a focal point for community celebration. It symbolizes much of what Hong Kong is about: commitment, perseverance and tenacity — many of the attributes that will undoubtedly help us draw on the vitality and dynamism for which the people of Hong Kong are renowned.”

In other race categories, the Men’s Half Marathon was won by another Kenyan, Kiprotich Thomas in a time of 1:09:17 with Zimbabwe’s Rukadza Axson second in a time of 1:10:29 and local runner Gi Ka Man third in a time of 1:11:50. Japan edged out two Hong Kong runners in an evenly placed top three in the Women’s Half Marathon with Nakamura Kuniko of Japan first in a time 1:23:49. Hong Kong’s Yiu Kit Chin was second in a time of 1:25:37 and Sarah Cheung Hoi Wah, last year’s runner-up, finishing third (1:28:17).

The popular 10km challenge was successfully run along the Island Eastern Corridor for only the second time was dominated by Hong Kong runners in both men’s and women’s. Mark Ryan won the men’s division in a time of 0:33:47, followed by Siu Kit Man in second (0:33:56) and Tin Yau Wong (0:34:16). Claire Forbes won the women’s division in a time of 0:37:38, followed by Charlotte Cutler in second (0:37:58), and Victoria White in third (0:38:45).

James Riley, Group Finance Director of Jardine Matheson won the inaugural 1.8km Leaders Cup from a field of about 30 senior executives and government officials.

A team of runners dressed as sharks, a devil and Minnie Mouse were among the colourful characters to complete the run.

About Standard Chartered Marathon

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2009 is Hong Kong’s largest participatory sporting competition and set another participation record this year with over 55,000 registered runners.

The Full Marathon and Half-Marathon began in Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and finished at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. The 10km Race was run along the Island Eastern Corridor, with entrants starting at North Point and running through Quarry Bay, Taikoo Shing and Sai Wan Ho before turning at Shau Kei Wan to return to the full field finish at Victoria Park.

To celebrate the Bank’s 150th anniversary in Hong Kong, the prize purse increased to US$100,000. In addition, a further HK$30,000 in special prize money sponsored by Standard Chartered Marathon Savings Accounts was awarded to the local fastest female and male full marathon runners.

Standard Chartered is in its 13th year of sponsorship of the event. Additional sponsors and supporting parties include Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited, Citizen Watches (HK) Limited, Watsons Water, New Balance Athletic Shoes (Hong Kong Limited, Crown Motors Limited, PURE Fitness, NOW Sports, and Hong Kong Information Services Department.

For full race details, go to http://www.hkmarathon.com.