Kipchumba and Azimeraw win the 44th edition

De TCS Amsterdam Marathon today is won by Vincent Kipchumba with a time of 2.05.09. The 29 year old Kenyan entered the Olympic Stadium first, had a great final sprint and succeeded to win after an exciting final piece. For the women the course record was smashed: the 20 year old Degitu Azimeraw put a sensational time of 2.19.26 on the clock. Abdi Nageeye crowned himself as Dutch champion in 2.07.39.

The women ran a sublime race in Amsterdam. On the 35 kilometres point even 6 women were running faster than the course record. They were on the hunt for the time of 2.21.09, the course record that Meseret Hailu ran in 2012. At the Vondelpark (39 kilometres) Azimeraw appeared to have the best legs. She increased her speed and during her very first marathon she surprised everyone with a time of 2.19.26. That is the fourth time this year that has been run on the classic distance. ‘‘I didn’t expect such a fast time’’, she said with a big smile.

Also the three Ethiopian athletes who followed, dived below the old course record. Tigist Girma noted a 2.19.53, Azemra Gebru received the flowers after 2.20.48 and Besu Sado followed after 2.21.03.

The men also ran on track of the course record on several moments during the game. The great pace work from Edwin Kiptoo made it possible for the leading group to set off after 30 kilometres. At that point eight athletes wore still in the race for the victory of the IAAF Gold Label marathon. The conditions in Amsterdam were in favour: a pleasant temperature and hardly any wind.

The men made it a very exciting competition to watch. After 37.5 kilometres the game broke loose: Elisha Rotich and Solomon Deksisa started a remarkable acceleration, before they passed the Rijksmuseum. They were chased by Vincent Kipchumba and Betesfa Getahun. Kipchumba appeared to be resistant against all the attacks and wrote the edition of 2019 on his name by running a big personal record. The course record of 2.04.06 of Lawrence Cherono from last year remains in the books.

Kipchumba after his win: ‘’The whole race I was convinced I could win, even when I had to allow a small gap at the Vondelpark. I felt strong and was prepared for everything.’’ Solomon Deksisa from Ethiopa singed for the second place in 2.05.16. The podium was completed by Kenyan Elisha Rotich (2.05.18). Also the number four, Betesfa Getahun, remained below the 2.06 with a time of 2.05.28.

Abdi Nageeye signed for a victory upfront. Until kilometre point 21.1 it looked rose-coloured for the Dutchman. He followed the leading group with a relaxed pace. Hamstring complaints however forced him to lower his pace. And so it became a long and lonely race, at which he did had some company of a second pacer. After 2.07.39 he ran through the finish line of the Dutch championship and gained his third Dutch title on the Marathon.

With a light disappointment he spoke to the press afterwards. ‘’I came here for a faster time. Hamstring problems after the half marathon caused a difficult race. It wasn’t easy and I tried to survive. I’m happy that my body is okay and my time as well’’.

With a clenched fist Frank Futselaar ran over the finish as second Dutchman. During his second marathon he pulverized his personal record to 2.14.08. The third place is for Roel Wijmenga (2.19.55). Almost the full race he kept himself hidden in the big group of leading women.

At the women Bo Ummels became Dutch champion. The young athlete made her debut on the classic distance in 2.32.34. ‘’Very happy about the way my first marathon went. I had a perfect pacer with me and yes, the final seven kilometres were heavy. I really enjoyed it’’. Ummels ended overall as eighth. Miranda Boonstra ran to silver: 2.45.58. Mirte Leloup received bronze (2.54.36).