Brighton celebrates in style with new course records

There were new course records to celebrate at the third Brighton Marathon, an IAAF Bronze Label race, as Kenya’s Peter Some lopped over four minutes off the old benchmark with a time of 2:12:01.

Meanwhile, Belarus’s Sviatlana Kouhan slashed five minutes off the previous women’s best with 2:29:36.

"I was very happy with the course," said the 21 year old men’s winner; "but I found it very hilly, there were a lot of undulations.

"It is my fourth marathon and second hardest course. The weather was very good, but the wind was too strong.

"I would like to come back to Brighton next year. My goal today was to break the course record."

Second was Dominic Pius Ondoro (Kenya), just nine seconds behind and with a personal best by over two minutes.

"It was a very good course which I enjoyed," said Pius Ondoro, "but Peter sprinted away from me at 41 kilometres.

"Today was my best time in my fourth marathon, but I want to come back next year when my goal is to win."

Commonwealth champion, John Kelai, also of Kenya, was a detached third in 2:12:43 while the inaugural Brighton champion, Mongolia’s Serod Batochir, also finished inside the old record with 2:13:01.

"The course was really hilly and it was windy, but I felt very strong and I was pleased with how it went," said Kelai.

Women’s winner, Kouhan, was delighted with her lifetime best: "I really enjoyed the race, it is a great course, the only difficulty was the wind.

"At half-way I was together with Irene (Chepkirui), but I managed to get away from her between 14 and 15 miles.

"My aim was to dip under 2:30, I have been training at altitude in Kislovodsk and I was feeling really good."

It was an impressive display by the Belarusian who ran almost the whole of the second half of the race on her own.

Kenyan Chepkirui crossed the line in 2:33:55, another PB, but was unwell and unable to speak to the press.

Third was Britain’s Holly Rush in 2:41:22, well outside her best: "I am very disappointed with my form," she said; "I was going to pull out at 11km, I felt unwell, but I decided to carry on, but then my pacer felt bad as well. This was not my day."

The field set off from Preston Park at 9am on a cold sunny morning, perfect conditions for marathon running.

The opening mile takes in a lap of the park with an early hill included which was partly responsible for the modest 5:30 clocking, but pacemaker Allen Ndiwa (Kenya) got down to business, locking on to a metronomic 5min per mile rhythm.

As ten miles were reached in 50:18 it was clear that the record would be history by the time the winner crossed the line in Madeira Drive.

At 12 miles all the favourites were in a tight group with Ndiwa shadowed by Some, Kelai, Batochir, Pius Ondoro and Ethiopian Assefa Mezgebu.

The leaders went through the half way mark by the Grand Hotel on the sea front in 65:49, at just under 5min mile pace, while the women went past in 73:38.

At 15 miles reached in 75:34 there was still no break with the five contenders pushing the pacemaker who was struggling to stay in front. One mile later, Ndiwa was dropped as the top five found the pace too slow and forged ahead.

Mezegebu was starting to find it tough at 18 miles and became detached while up front Some and Pius Ondoro were trying to get away from Kelai and Batochir.

At mile 24 it was down to two as Some and Pius Ondoro finally broke clear from the Commonwealth champion and Mongolian.

With just over a mile to go, Some put in his final effort to create the all important gap. All that was left was for him to take the plaudits and break the tape held by former marathon great, Ron Hill.