FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thousands take part in 15th Edinburgh Marathon Festival
Over 30,000 runners took part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in the
nation's capital on 27th & 28th May. Runners from all over the world
gathered for Scotland's biggest running festival, taking part part in the
Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay, 10k, 5k and Junior Races across an
action-packed weekend.
Sunny weather made for perfect running conditions for the elite fields on
one of the world's fastest marathon courses, where Kenyan dominance of the
event continued in both the male and female races. Julius Kiplagat Korir
took a decisive victory in the men's race, breaking clear in the last few
miles to blow away the opposition in a winning time of 2 hours, 17 minutes
and 13 seconds.
Fellow Kenyan, Stanley Kiprotich Bett took second place in 2 hours, 19
minutes and 9 seconds, followed closely by crowd favourite and star of
'Running with the Kenyans', Japhet Koech with a time of 2 hours 20 minutes
and 35 seconds.
Afterwards, Korir said: "I really enjoyed the race today. I was in the
leading pack for the first 20 miles, then decided that I wanted to make a
break for it to win, and was happy that I did."
The women's race was dominated by Kenyan Eddah Jepkosgei. She led from the
gun to a six minute victory in 2 hours, 37 minutes and 46 seconds.
The podium was completed by Belarusian Olga Dubovskaya in 2 hours, 43
minutes and 40 seconds, and Dianne Lauder, Gala Harriers in 2 hours, 54
minutes and 48 seconds.
Afterwards, Jepkosgei said: "Today was tougher than last year, the first
half was good but I struggled with the wind in the second half. I'm happy
as I've cut two minutes off my time from last year, I'd like to come back
in 2018 and run 2 hours 34 minutes!"
As if running 26.2 miles wasn't tough enough, local lad Scott Hutchison of
Tranent completed the grand slam of marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k
over the weekend. Scott was running for Arthritis Research UK and Pulmonary
Fibrosis Trust as both his dad and mother-in-law have been severely
impacted by this in recent years.
He began his EMF weekend yesterday by completing both the 5K and 10K races
around Holyrood Park. Today, he was up and running again as he tackled the
half and full marathon races.
We caught up with Scott after the marathon, which was the last of his four
races. He said: "That's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do in
my life, my body is absolute agony! Half way through the marathon was the
hardest part of today, but I'm so chuffed that I finished and can't wait to
put my feet up and enjoy a barbecue!"
It was a particularly heart-thumping day for Peter Irvine from West Lothian
who proposed to his partner Stephen with a personalised medal saying "fancy
running a marathon to the altar with me?" at the finish line. Thankfully he
said 'yes'.
Afterwards, he said: "We are completely over the moon. I'm so pleased that
Stephen said "yes" to the proposal, I was glad that I managed to convince
him to get on stage!"
There was a thrilling race at the front of Sunday morning's half marathon
as Italian Pasquale Roberto Rutigliano stormed to victory with a winning
time of 1 hour, 9 mins and 39 seconds. Hunters Bog Trotter's Patryk
Gierjatowicz took second place with a time of 1 hour, 10 mins and 42
second, and Arron Larkin of Rotherham Harriers finished in third with a
time of 1 hour, 10 mins and 59 seconds.
39 year old Rutigliano said: "This half marathon is fast, very fast! I'm
very happy with how my run went today. This is my first time in Scotland
and this race, I'd love to come back in 2018!"
Glasgow's Avril Mason was the winner in the women's race which she led from
start to finish. The Shettleston Harriers runner was pleased to have topped
the podium in her third outing at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in 1 hour
19 minutes and 49 seconds.
The 43 year old said: "I've ran the full marathon three times, but this
year I felt like I was ready for a half marathon. Towards the tail end of
last year I was running really well."
"I lead all the way from mile two. There's definitely a great crowd
presence throughout the whole run and support all the way round which is
really nice!"
Birmingham's Molly Browne clinched second place with a time of 1 hour 19
minutes and 57 seconds, with Emma Ballantyne from City of York AC finishing
third in 1 hour 21 minutes 57 seconds.
Saturday saw Holyrood Park bathed in glorious sunshine as 6,000 runners
took part in 10k, 5k and junior races, supported by thousands more friends
and family savouring the big event atmosphere.
Renaud Vincent, 31, from France claimed the top spot in the EMF 10K race
with a winning time of 34 minutes and 39 seconds. Gary Flannighan clinched
second place in 36 minutes and 09 seconds and Steven Medd of Gateshead
Harriers, finished in third place with a time of 36 minutes and 40 seconds.
Afterwards, Vincent said: "This is my second year in Edinburgh. Last year I
wanted to run but unfortunately broke my foot, so it was great to come back
and take first place this year. It's such a beautiful city!"
The women's winner was 22 year old Alice Burgin from Bedford with a winning
time of 37 minutes 52 seconds. She said: "The course is really nice and
scenic, very warm! Great crowds, lots of support and cheering along the way
which really helped me out."
Italian Lorenzo Masi, 30, stormed home first in the sunshine to clinch the
5K title with a winning time of 17 mins 29 seconds. He said: "I discovered
this wonderful city one year ago because my girlfriend lives here. I'll
absolutely be back - next year I will run again!"
Youth stole the show in the women's field as 18 year old Anisha Badial was
the first female home with a winning time of 19 minutes 51 seconds. Anisha,
who runs for Aberdeen AAC, said "I was second last year so I'm delighted to
clinch first place this time around."
Around 850 youngsters took part in Saturday's junior races, consisting of
the 1.5k for 6-8 year olds and the 2k for 9-12 year olds, as well as both
the Junior 5K and the Kids Kilometre for the first time ever.
Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Director, said: "2017 has been
another incredible year for Edinburgh Marathon Festival with
record-breaking performances, tens of thousands of participants and
millions raised for good causes.
"We are proud to host a truly world class running event in Scotland's
capital for people of all ages and abilities from across the globe.
Congratulations to everyone who took part. Thanks for making the 2017
Edinburgh Marathon Festival one of the UK's greatest mass participation
events. Come and see us again next year!"
More than 1,500 runners from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Official
Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, took part and together with hundreds of
other charities, are hoping to raise more than £5 million.
Entries for the 2018 Edinburgh Marathon Festival which takes place on Bank
Holiday Weekend on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2018 are open with an
early bird discount for everyone who registers before 11th June at
www.edinburghmarathon.com
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