Luke Kibet (left) and Edith Masai (right)

Early Sunday morning yesterday, when 2008 edition of the Singapore Marathon was flagged off, the field Kenyans runners led from the start to finish to sweep the podium finish.

It was a Kenya 1-2-3 finish for the men’s category.

Marathon World Champion Luke Kibet showed his ‘class’ by setting a new course record, finishing in a time of 2:13:01 hour.

It earned him US$35,000 richer in prize money by finishing first.

Kibet ‘obliterated’ the old mark by a minute plus. The old record of 2:14:22 hour was set by last year winner Elijah Mbogo.

His Kenyan compatriot Johnstone Chepkwony was second (2:15:12) and Amos Matui was third (2:15.15).

Veteran Kenyan women marathoner Edith Masai won the women category in a time of 2:34.15, pocketing the US$35,000 in prize money.

She finished well ahead of Russian Silovia Skvortsov who was second (2:37.10) while another Kenyan women runner Rose Chesire finished third (2:42.39).

The Singapore Marathon saw record number 50,000 runners taking part in the marathon half-marathon and 10-kilometer races.

It is part of the ‘Greatest Race On Earth’ series which includes Mumbai, Nairobi and Hong Kong, sponsored by Standard Chartered.

Full Marathon Results Men (Individual)

1. Luke Kibet, Kenya (02:13:01)
2. Johnstone Chepkwony, Kenya (02:15:12)
3. Amos Matui, Kenya (02:15:15)

Full Marathon Results Women (Individual)

1. Edith Masai, Kenya (02:34:15)
2. Silvia Skvortsova, Russia (02:37:10)
3. Rose J. Chesire, Kenya (02:42:39)

Full Marathon Veteran Category Men

1. Oleg Kharitonov, Russia (02:38:09)
2. Konstantin Permitin, Russia (03:46:24)
3. Murugiah Rameshon, Singapore (02:49:37)

Full Marathon Veteran Category Women

1. Edith Masai, Kenya (02:34:15)
2. Madina Biktagiorva, Russia (02:46:55)
3. Helen Stanton, Australia (02:50:46)

Full Marathon Singapore Men

1. Murugiah Rameshon (02:49:37)
2. Daniel Ling (02:54:54)
3. Benedict Tan (02:56:20)

Full Marathon Singapore Women

1. Vivian Tang (02:56:27)
2. Anne Qihui Date (03:06:00)
3. Elaine Lim (03:20:09)

Half-Marathon Results Men (Individual)

1. Benjamin Kiplimo Meto, Kenya (01:07:59)
2. Boonchoo Jandacha, Thailand (01:11:38)
3. Kim Yong Taek, Korea (01:12:47)

Half-Marathon Results Women (Individual)

1. Suzy Walsham, Australia (01:17:42)
2. Lucie Hardiman, Australia (01:24:42)
3. Jenny Lundg, Sweden (01:25:43)