Kiplagat scoops silver after finishing second in Rotterdam Marathon

Kenyan long-distance runner Timothy Kiplagat has, settled for silver in the 42nd edition of the Rotterdam Marathon after, finishing behind Olympic bronze medalist Bashir Abdi of Belgium.

Kiplangat who won the Abu Dhabi marathon in December last year won it as a pacemaker, raced neck to neck with Abdi up to the 40 kilometre mark before the latter pulling away.

Although the Kenyan tried to react, Abdi who ran a tactical race all through, proved to have saved the best for the last as he sprinted all the way to victory.

The Belgian stopped the clock after two hours, three minutes and forty-eight seconds with Kiplagat timing 2:03:50.

This was the second time he was winning the race and nearly lowered his European record that stands at 2:03:36 recorded on the same course in 2021.

He finished fourth in last year's edition.

Olympic silver medalist Abdi Nageeye of Netherlands who was bidding to retain the title he won last year came from behind to finish third, clocking 2:03:52.

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It was difficult to guess who will run away with the top honours early in the second half of the race as the leading pack was stacked with fierce runners, all seeking to cut the tape first.

Kiplagat crossed the 35 kilometre mark after one hour, forty-two minutes and forty-one seconds so is Abdi who raced shoulder to shoulder with him.

Earlier, on the Kenyan injected pace that saw scores of athletes in the leading pack drop off after failing to keep up with the electric speed.

Among those who were affected by the upgrade in speed was Nageeye who dropped off from the leading pack and at some point, appeared to be headed for a fourth place finish.

Kiplagat, tried to close in on Abdi in the closing stages of the race but was unfortunate to miss drinks in the final point, unlike the latter who grabbed his, rehydrated and charged to the finish point.

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Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba won the women’s race after finishing in 2:20:31.

She cut the tape ahead of Tesfu Doishi of Ethiopia who timed 2:21:35.

Uganda’s Rose Chelimo was third after crossing the finishing point after two hours, twenty-six minutes and twenty-one seconds.