Kenya’s Cheboror wins 2018 Gyeongju International Marathon

Kennedy Kiprop Cheboror (28, Kenya) did not look weary at all after running the last eight kilometers alone. “I renewed my personal record at 30 kilometers. I felt good and put on a spurt. It wasn’t that hard because I once ran the last few miles alone at the Chongqing International Marathon in March (which was his first win in international marathons). I ran with joy because I knew that I was going to win with my best record.”

Filex Kiprotich (30, Kenya), former champion for the last two years, did not enter the event, and Wilson Loyanae Erupe (30, Kenya) was not able to run with all his might due to an injury in his Achilles tendon which he sustained two weeks before the event. Mark Korir (30, Kenya) naturally garnered attention as he had the best record of two hours and five minutes. But Cheboror became the first runner from the 35-kilometer range with the last minute spurt and crossed the finish line first.

Cheboror who ranked number six last year (two hours, nine minutes and 43 seconds) won at the 2018 Gyengju International Marathon held at the Gyeongju Civic Stadium on Sunday with the personal best record of two hours, eight minutes and 26 seconds. He renewed his best record last year on his first visit to Korea, and yet did it once again in Gyeongju and won the event.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Governor Lee Cheol-woo, mayor of Gyeongju Joo Nak-young, lawmaker Kim Seok-ki of the Liberty Korea Party, members of Gyeongbuk provincial assembly Park Cha-yang and Bae Jin-seok, vice speaker Kim Dong-hae of Gyeongju City Council, vice president Choi Gwi-dol of Gyeongju Sports Council, vice president Jin Jang-ok of Korea Association of Athletics Federation, Gyeongju Police chief Bae Ki-hwan, head of Gyeongju Fire Station An Tae-hyun and president Lim Chae-jung of The Dong-A Ilbo attended the event and cheered for more than 9,000 runners.


Bo-Mi Im bom@donga.com · Jae-Hyeng Kim monami@donga.com