After an eight-year absence, elite runners were once again part of the fray at the 28th edition of the Montreal marathon.
Thousands came out to show their support to nearly 11,000 runners of all abilities, ranging in age from 13 to 82.
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Sixty-one countries were represented in the race, but in the end it it was Kenya’s Ezekiel Mutai, 25, who won Sunday’s event in record-breaking time, earning himself $11,000 in prize money.
Mutai ran the 42.2-kilometre course in two hours, 11 minutes and five seconds, building on his fifth-place finish at the Madrid marathon in April.
“It’s only his second ever marathon,” on-site race commentators said over the public address system.
Rounding out the top three, were Wycliffe Biwott of Kenya with a time of 2:15.28 and Jean-Marie Vianney-Uwajeneza of Rwanda in 2: 15.28.
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Salome Nyirarukundo, 20, of Rwanda, was the victor in the women’s division, with a time of 2:28.02.
Kenyan Joan Kigen finished second, stopping the clock at 2:31.26, while Emebet Anteneh of Ethiopia finished in third with a time of 2:43.24.
While Nyirarukundo is also a newbie when it comes to marathons, that didn’t stop her from setting a course record.
“This marathon is my first time running a marathon,” Nyirarukundo said, adding she was very pleased with her time.
Nyirarukundo also takes home $11,000 in prize money.
Quebecers shone in the half-marathon category, with Alexis Lavoie-Gilbert winning the men’s race in 1:09.25, and Anne-Marie Comeau winning in the women’s race in 1:14.46.
— With files from La Presse Canadienne
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