Kenyan Athlete Breaks Marathon Record, Dedicates Victory to Late Agnes Tirop
- Angela Tanui was impressive during the Amsterdam Marathon that saw her emerge victorious in 2:17:57, a course record in the race
- The time set was also enough to afford Tanui a place in history books as she joined the exclusive list of the fastest athletes in the world
- The promising marathoner broke the record in Amsterdam by one minute and 29 seconds
- Her victory came only months after she broke the Italian all-comers’ record during the Xiamen Marathon with her 2:20:08 performance at the elite-only race
Kenyan athlete Angela Tanui has dedicated her victory in the Amsterdam Marathon to the late Agnes Tirop.
Tanui stormed to victory after clocking 2:17:57 to set a personal best as well as a course record, with compatriot Maureen Chepkemoi finishing second in 2:20:18.
According to Athletics Kenya, the time set by Tanui saw her write her name in history books as she joined the exclusive club of the top 10 fastest women runners in the world.
Ethiopia's Haven Hailu completed the top three podium in 2:20:19.
Tanui, meanwhile, who was a last entrant in the Sunday, October 17, race sported a white ribbon in memory of Tirop who was found dead earlier last week in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
In the men's race, Kenya's Bernard Koech sealed a second-place finish ahead of Ethiopia’s Leul Gebresilase, with Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia finishing top.
Tirop's tragic death
The sporting fraternity was plunged into mourning on Wednesday, October 13, after Tirop's lifeless body was discovered with stab wounds in the abdomen.
The deceased allegedly had marital issues with her estranged husband identified as Emmanuel Ibrahim Kipleting.
Track record
TUKO.co.ke reported on September 12, 2021, the deceased smashed the women-only 10km world record which was held by Asmae Leghzaoui of Morrocco.
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Tirop emerged fourth in the 5,000m women’s finals after clocking 14:39.62.
In the race, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands emerged the winner after timing 14:36.79.