Italian Federation of Athletics
November 28, 2021
Super performance race: Kenyan Kotut and Ethiopian Maru win
Edition literally graced by the rain and kissed by the sun the Asics Firenze Marathon 2021 number 37, that of the restart after a year of stop, strongly desired by the organizers supported by the Municipality of Florence to give a signal of rebirth and celebration. And party was, with the platoon of 3850 runners (separated into two “waves”) who, with an ideal temperature of about 12 degrees, left from Piazza Duomo towards Piazza San Marco and then the Viali di Circonvallazione. Immediately after the start given by the mayor Dario Nardella, also present the councilor for sport Cosimo Guccione, the athletes freed themselves from the masks and started towards the finish line to complete the 42 km and 195 meters of the route, in fact a ring around and in the heart of the city, before returning to Piazza Duomo. “We understand the difficulty of organizing a marathon and for this reason we are at the same time proud to be able to support and host, and it is nice that we have finally returned to running the marathon in the center of Florence”, said Councilor Guccione.
And the race was technically among the most interesting ever with the first three male athletes in the top 10 of all time in Florence (respectively, 5th and 9th time ever) and among the women with the first five who made the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th time trial ever in Florence.
To win among men the Kenyan Cybrian Kimurgor Kotut in 2’08 “59” while among the women first the Ethiopian Tsehay Alemu Maru in 2: 27’17 “.
THE PODIUMS
Therefore, the 37th Asics Firenze Marathon wins Kenyan Cybrian Kimurgor Kotut in 2h08’59“, A time of only 19” slower than James Kutto’s 2006 track record. Behind him the Kenyan flag still flies thanks to Samuel Lomoi with 2h09’54 “, while third is the Burundian Olivier Irabaruta (Us Quercia Trentin Grana ) with a more than valid 2h10’13 “. First Italian is Mohamed Hajjy (Atl.
Castenaso) with 2h22’08 “, already winner of the Verona Marathon a week ago that preceded Andrea Soffientini (Azzurra Garbagnate) with 2: 22’29”.
Women’s champion of the 37th Asics Firenze Marathon is the Ethiopian Tsehay Alemu Maru in 2h27’17 ” who preceded compatriot Megertu Ifa Geletu by just four seconds at the finish line in 2h27’21 ”. Third place always African with the Kenyan Mercy Jerop Kwambai with 2h27’32 “.
First Italian was the Florentine Marta Bernardi (Gs Le Panche Castelquarto), blue triathlete of international level who is classified 10th overall with the new personal best of 2h43’18 “. Scrapped on 2h50’11 “, also fixed at the Florence Marathon in 2015.” I’m very happy, I did my last Ironman 70.3 in Mallorca in October, a couple of weeks of recovery and some long to put kilometers. This is my way for this great result for me. I am very happy, Florence is great “. For Marta it is the eighth Italian time of the year
THE CHRONICLE
Men’s race that recorded a second part faster than the first half, at 21.097km a group of five men passed in 1h05’07 ”which suggested a possible final time of more than 2h10 ‘. This was not the case, the cautious pace of the first kilometers gradually took place, with the skimming already taking place at 30km with a passage of 1h31’48 “only for Lomoi, Kotut and Oqbe while at 35km there was still a two-way deal with 1h46 ‘ 57 ”for Lomoi and Kotut. At 40km, Kotut had a 21 second advantage (2h02’35 “) over Lomoi (2h02’56”). From here on, a solo and an increase in the gap on the part of the winner Kotut who in via dei Calaziuoli did the to present himself alone, winning, in Piazza Duomo.
Cybrian Kimurgor Kotut was already a career winner of the Paris marathon in 2016, where he set his personal best of 2h07’16 ”, while it was a great day for Samuel Lomoi who set his personal best here in Florence.
He had 2h12’14 “done this year in Munster, but the 2h09’54” on the Florentine streets projected him into the cheeks of the athletes who can boast a record under the 2h10 ‘wall.
In the top ten of the finishers we also find the second Italian, Andrea Soffientini (Azzurra Garbagnate), 8th overall in 2h22’09 “, also in the staff followed by Domenico Ricatti (Terra dello Sport), 9th in 2h23’33”. Also in the race Alessandro Degasperi (Trentino Running) the famous Ironman Triathlete who in his first real marathon, which is not in a triathlon race, closes in 2h29’54 ”, 19th position.
Women’s race that saw the passage to the half marathon in 1h13’14 “, a few seconds late compared to the schedule provided by the technical director Fulvio Massini, however the work done by Massimo Mei today in the race with the task of hare on the women head was excellent . In this case the second half of the race is slightly slower and with competition commanded by a sextet composed of Naomy Tuei, Megertu Geletu, Mercy Kwambai and Obse Deme, Souad Kanbouchia and Tsehai Maru, all together again at 35km in 2h02’44 ”. At 40km still four in front in 2h20’17 “, while Deme and Tuei are left behind by about 20”. The final sprint to four in the last two kilometers, a real battle and the finish line first crossed by Tsehai Alemu Maru in 2h27’17 “and the first four grouped in just 31”, all under 2h28 “. It is personal best for all the first three classified, the winner had 2h28’49 ”.
GUIDO PAIER WINS AMONG THE DIFFERENTLY ABLE
As always at the Florence Marathon there is also a lot of attention to the competition reserved for the disabled with hand bikes. The victory went to Guido Paier (category H5) of the Vallagarina Sport Team who finished in 1 hour 26’01 “
Second, like last year, was Alberto Glisoni of Team Alove, with a time of 1: 34’18 ”. Third Luca Giacomo Micheli, also of the Vallagarina Sport Team, with a time of 2: 02’57 ”.
First woman Grace Colossus.
THE AUTHORITIES’
Present to welcome the athletes on arrival and then to the ceremonial, in addition to the councilor Guccione, among others also the president of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, the president of Fidal Toscana, Alessandro Alberti, the Deputy Territory Commander of the Military Geographical Institute of Florence , Brigadier General Michele Vicari.
THE RAI DELAY
Rai has announced the times and days in which the summary of the race will be broadcast on Raisport channels 57 and 58.
It will be possible to see the same Sunday of the event from 17 to 18, then Monday 29 in the morning from 11, and also Saturday 4 to 13, except for changes in the Rai schedule.
Appointment for edition number 38, set for November 27, 2022.
HERE THE FULL RANKING: https://tds.sport/it/race/10561
(press release and photo by organizers)
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