Debutant Barkach, Jekpkorir emerge victorious as Kenyans sweep Enschede Marathon

Alfred Barkach and Shyline Jepkorir claimed wins as Kenyans swept the Enschede Marathon in the Netherlands on Sunday.

It was debut to remember for Barkach who led a Kenyan clean sweep of the men’s race, clocking 2:08:51 to claim the honours, ahead of compatriots Bernard Kipyego (2:09:15) and Boniface Kiplimo, who set a personal best of 2:09:19, to complete the podium.

Barkach, a half marathon specialist, was unfazed by the strong field that included Paris Marathon bronze medalist Hillary Kipsambu, who came into the race as the fastest man with 2:04:44, as well as Kipyego, whose PB is 2:06:32.

The 26-year-old stayed in the leading pack but took matters into his own hands when it mattered most to record the win.

The race was, however, slower than organisers had predicted, having targeted a time below the course record of 2:07:20 set by Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich in 2011.

With the cold weather, the front runners abandoned that mission with race favourite Kipsambu letting go of the leaders after 15km before the race peaked after the 35km mark. Four runners then went for the win before Barkach got rid of Kipyego, the two-time Amsterdam marathon winner, as well as Kiplimo.

Jepkorir, meanwhile, also set her personal best, clocking 2:22:45 to win the women’s race, ahead of Uganda’s Mercyline Chelangat (2:24:12), who was making her debut, while Kenya’s Cynthia Kosgei 2:25:24 (PB) finished third.