Posted: September 25, 2005

Athletics: Simon Bor takes 3 minutes off course record at Toronto Waterfront

Anastasia Ndereba took the women's title with a 2:36:29, ahead of Lucy Hasell of the UK in 2:38:09. Almost 10,000 runners from over 30 countries and 40 American states participated in the combined 42k, 21k, and 5k events. Almost 25% of the marathon field of over 2,500 was made up of international runners.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon winners Simon Bor (L) and Anastasia Ndereba (R). (Photo - STWM/Action Sports International.)

Kenyans dominated up front, taking 7 of the top 10 men's places, as well as the women's crown. From the start, a strong pack of 9 Kenyans and 2 Ethiopians moved out in front, passing 10k in 30:43 and half way in 65:15. When the last of the pacemakers dropped at 27k, there were still seven. Then the racing began. By 30k [1:32:48], Bor, Nelson Lebo and Nicholas Murei had opened up a space between themselves and the rest who were spread out over a minute behind: Joseah Matui, Wesley Ngetich, Victor Mangusho, and Augustus Kavutu. At 34k, just after the final turn for home on the East end of the flat, lakeshore course, Bor made his decisive move, spreading the front three, and finishing strongly for the victory, despite signs that Lebo might come back on him. Lebo was second in 2:12:18, with Ngetich coming through to take third in 2:14:31.

In the women's race, Anastasia Ndereba had a much easier time, despite a strong and injudicious surge to the front by the young Russian Victoria Zueva at 15k. Lucy Hasell of Team GB ran very strongly to register a PR, to take second, and put herself in contention for Commonwealth Games selection for Great Britain. Canadian Tania Jones ran a smart race to come through late to take third in 2:41:52.

In the Battle of the Ageless Titans, Canadian phenomenon Ed Whitlock soundly trounced his Dutch rival Joop Ruter. While coming up a little short in his attempt at a fourth sub-3 hour performance, Whitlock still had a marvellous run of 3:02:37.

Torontonian Michal Kapral succeeded in smashing the Guinness World Record for joggling a marathon, completing the course in 3:07:46 while juggling three objects, and made his contribution to the $500,000+ that was raised for 42 local charities on the day.

Full results from www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.