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Uganda's Jackson Kiprop won the 10th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, setting a new course record of 2 hours, 09 minutes, 32 seconds.
Running his first marathon, the 26-year-old overcame a strong field that included defending champion Laban Moiben of Kenya to eclipse the course record of 2:09:54 seconds, set by Girma Assefa of Ethiopia two years ago.
Jacob Cheshari of Ethiopia, who also bettered the previous course mark by finishing in 2:09:43s, was second and Elijah Kemboi third in 2:10:03s.
Pre-race favourite Moiben was fifth in 2:10:55s.
"This is my first marathon," said Kiprop, the training partner of London Olympics
men's marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, adding, "I have been training with Kiprotich in Kenya. I came here straight after training with him for the last three months. I started running in half marathons in 2005. This year only I started running the full marathon."
Kiprop, who won US $40,000 besides the bonus for breaking the course record, said the weather was cool initially, but got a bit warm towards the end.
Kenya's Valentine Kipketer also exploited the conditions well to win the women's event. She also eclipsed the course record of 2:26.12 seconds, clocking 2:24.33 seconds.
Dinkesh Mekash of Ethiopia placed second in 2:28:46, while Aberu Mekuria, also of Ethiopia was third in 2:29:03s.