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Kenyans dominate from start to win in Sao Paulo

Kenya's Robert Cheruiyot kisses the ground after winning the St. Silvester men's road race in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday. PHOTO: AP

Kenyans Robert Cheruiyot and Alice Timbilili won the traditional 15km St. Silvester road race in South America's biggest city on Monday.

Cheruiyot ran through Sao Paulo's skyscraper-lined avenues and twisting streets in 45 minutes, 57 seconds, edging countryman Patrick Ivuti (46:53) and Brazil's Anoe dos Santos Dias (47:06).

Cheruiyot, a two-time St. Silvester winner and a three-time Boston Marathon champion, overcame the intense heat and dominated from the start, securing his third title at the traditional New Year's Eve road race.

The 29-year-old Kenyan also won the event in 2002 and 2004. He crossed the finish line and immediately kneeled down and kissed the ground.

Ivuti, this year's Chicago marathon winner, never came close to challenging Cheruiyot on the streets of Brazil's financial center.

It was the 10th victory by a Kenyan man, matching the number of victories by Brazilians since the race became international in 1945.

Timbilili secured Kenya's sixth title in the women's event, surpassing Brazil's five victories and moving within one of Portugal's seven.

In her first St. Silvester, the 24-year-old Timbilili also dominated from the beginning, finishing in 53:07. Brazil's Marizete de Paula Rezende, the 2002 winner, was second in 53:36, and countrywoman Maria Zeferina Baldaia third in 54:43.

"I wanted to win again, but I didn't start well enough to keep up with [Timbilili]," Rezende said.

Rezende closed on Timbilili in the final kilometers, but Timbilili increased her pace and easily closed out the race.

The Kenyan was coming off two runner-up finishes in half marathons in Philadelphia in the US and Saltillo, Mexico.

Cheruiyot and Timbilili each won about US$13,500 for their victory.

Last year's winners, Brazil's Franck Caldeira and Lucelia Peres, did not fare well last year and finished out of the top five.

More than 20,000 people participated in this year's St. Silvester, which traditionally closes out the road racing calendar.
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