Kenyans triumph as LSR Colombo Marathon returns after six years
Organised by Lanka Sportsreizen (LSR) and last held in 2018, the country’s only marathon of international recognition from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the governing body for Long Distance Running of World Athletics, as usual saw participants from 35 countries in action.
“It was a great success, given the fact that the timeframe we had to organise and structure the event. We could not risk being taken off the AIMS licence as the marathon was not held for six years since 2018, due to various yet acceptable reasons. Now that the surroundings are perfect, we planned accordingly and I could say, perfectly executed the marathon,” a highly contented Thilak Weerasinghe, the Managing Director of LSR and Chief Organiser of the LSR Colombo Marathon, stated.
Inaugurated in 1998, perhaps earning the term as a myth, mostly with local runners, the LSR Colombo Marathon grew stronger to become a legend among long distance runs in Asia as well as the world. When it was last held in 2018, as the 18th edition, the participation grew up to nearly 10,000 runners with mostly international competitors dominating the top positions.
Over the years, the LSR Colombo Marathon propagated to become a must event among world recognised long distance runners, until it was forced to cease in 2019 following the terrorist attack on Easter Sunday. Though the local organisers were willing to go ahead with the event as planned, the AIMS recommended that it would be sensible to give a break mainly due to security concerns. What followed over the next few years were indications that the LSR Colombo Marathon would take a longer break than initially planned.
Winners of the main marathon at the awards presentation -- Men's (top left) and Women's (top right)
“The reasons were well known and acceptable. But it is an event that has already gained attention among the fraternity of long distance runners globally, and we had constant inquiries each year if the marathon would be held. Eventually, our team at LSR, with the assistance of other parties, managed to pull off a remarkable race on October 5,” Weerasinghe added.
The 19th LSR Marathon eventually flagged off at 6.00am opposite the BMICH on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, and proceeded towards its usual route to the Negombo Beach Park covering a distance of 42.195 kilometres. The route covered Borella, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda, Wattala along the Hamilton Canal, Pamunugama, Thalahena, Pitipana and Doowa. The half marathon, with a distance of 21.097 kilometres, completed near Pamunugama, as the 10km Fun Race completed at Wattala following the 5km Fun Run that had the finishing point at Peliyagoda.
Thilak Weerasinghe
Kenyan athlete Elias Nyaga Muthoni completed the main race in 2:25.35 as Sri Lankans Kumar Shanmugeshwaran and Chanaka Rupasinghe took the remaining podium slots. Interestingly the timing that separated Muthoni and Shanmugeshwaran was a mere 0.55 seconds, with the Sri Lankan finishing at 2:26.30, with Rupasinghe following at third in 2:27.02. Others to complete the full marathon among the top 10 were all Sri Lankans, T.W. Rathnapala, Amila Sanath Kumara, T.G. Alahakoon, R.D.N.S. Karunaratne, Maduranga Upul Kumara, Gayan Bandara and W.M.S. Kumara.
“The conditions were perfect for me since I reached Colombo following a run in Tehran, but my colleague, who joined from Bali, Indonesia, found it challenging with the local competitors putting up a good show. In all, I could rate the Colombo Marathon as one of the best events competed this year,” Muthoni, the eventual winner told reporters after the finish.
Kenya took the lead in the Women’s Full Marathon as well with Caroline Cherono completing the race at 2:58.09, followed by Wathsala Madushani Herath (3:03.20) and Chamila Siriwardana (3:12.33) to complete the podium. Local athlete V. Krishanthini, Gasheru Ruth Wanjiku of Kenya, and Shanika Priyadarshani and Sunara Ranasinghe, both locals, followed in.
“This was one of the well organised marathons I have completed in, in the recent years. Initially I faced some difficulties, but managed to adapt to the conditions and turn things into my favour, as this is my first visit to Sri Lanka. I definitely will return next year to defend my title,” overwhelmed by the Sri Lankan hospitality offered, Cherono told the Sunday Times.
S.D. Gunasekara clocked 1:09.08 to edge past M. Sivarajan (1:09.11) by 0.03 seconds to win the Half Marathon, as Wimal Kariyawasam (1:10.19) took the third place. Others who completed among the top ten in an all-Sri Lankan list were Pradeep Malgammana, Karunaratne, Rohitha Bandara, D.S. Premaratna, Lahiru Jayakody, J.A.M. Madushanka and Menaka Hewage. Nayana Sewwandi clocked 1:19.39 to win the Women’s Half Marathon, as Chamini Herath (1:21.19) and Nimesha Nidarshani (1:30.12) completed the podium. Nirosha Samarakoon, Ayachana Jayathilake, Natalie de Silva, Sarah Kabir, Sophie Helbeque of France, Asha de Vos and Lilian Engemann cemented the Sri Lankan dominance coming within the top ten.
David Ostwald of the USA topped the Veterans’ Half Marathon at 1:56.29, followed by Sri Lankans S.M. Bandula, Tharick Razick, Benton Samuel, Kumudith Guruge, while Japan’s Mikinaga Kotta finished at sixth, ahead of locals G. Joseph, Hiran Doranegama and Ranjith Weerasinghe.
“The LSR Colombo Marathon is an event that almost had nearly 10000 runners when it was held last. But with the completion of this year’s edition, I’m sure we can accelerate further next year, in terms of numbers in participation as well as other important areas,” Weerasinghe explained.