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Rotterdam Recap

KITWARA PREVAILS AT FAST ROTTERDAM HALF-MARATHON
By David Monti
(c) 2009 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - used with permission

Kenya's top road racer, Sammy Kitwara, turned back all challengers at today's Fortis Rotterdam Half-Marathon in the Netherlands, and became only the sixth man in history to crack the 59-minute barrier for the standard 21.097 km distance.

Kitwara, 22, clocked a course record 58:58, ten seconds ahead of compatirot Jonathan Maiyo, who also ran a personal best 59:08.  The diminutive James Kwambai, the Kenyan who is the third fastest marathoner of all-time, finished third in 59:09.  The first seven men, all Kenyans, broke the one-hour mark.

The world record holder for the distance and the reigning Olympic marathon gold medalist, Samuel Wanjiru, finished ninth in 1:01:08.  He's preparing for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11.

According to data provided by athlete agent Zane Branson, the lead pack passed through 5 km in a blazing 13:37, and 10 km in 27:44.  The 15-K mark was reached in 41:53.

Results of the women's race were not immediately available.

ENDS