The pair – two thirds of a formidable trio representing the east-African nation on Island roads – were much too strong for those lining up alongside them on the start line and Kipyego even made light work of swatting aside the event record, despite blustery conditions throughout the 26.2-mile challenge.
Two-time winner Aleksey Troshkin’s best mark of 2hr 18min 13sec was consigned to history at the Weighbridge after Kipyego had stormed clear of countryman Eric Koech along St Aubin’s Bay, at a pace matched only by fast-moving cyclists, to clock 2.17.09.
Koech [2.19.55] and Englishman Ben Shearer [2.30.57] made up the top three overall before Jeruto ran through the winner’s banner in 2.45.45 – beating defending champion Khrystyna Bohomiahkova by over four minutes.
Stephen Gray was the first Islander across the line, taking sixth overall in 2.43.56 (fast enough for London Marathon qualification), while fellow Caesarean Antoinette Kyriacou secured a fantastic third-place finish in the women’s race to earn a share of the £11,500 total price pot.
Full report in Monday’s JEP.
