Kemboi pips Mwangangi in Kenyan sweep at KLSCM
KUALA LUMPUR: Kenya’s Ezekiel Kemboi edged out defending champion John Nzau Mwangangi in a nail-biting finish to capture the Men’s Open title at the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) on Sunday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Kenyan runner Ezekiel Kemboi triumphed over defending champion John Nzau Mwangangi in a close finish to claim the Men's Open title at the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) on Sunday. Kemboi crossed the finish line in 2:21:19, narrowly edging out Mwangangi by eight seconds, who finished in 2:21:27. Bronze medalist Moses Kibet Kipsang completed the Kenyan sweep with a time of 2:21:32.
Kemboi credited his success to adapting to the humid conditions after training in Eldoret, Kenya. In the Women's Open category, Ethiopian runner Alemitu Ajema Lema dominated the race, clocking 2:39:29. Kenyan runners Lucy Nthenya Ndambuki and Caroline Cheptonui Kilel rounded out the podium with times of 2:39:59 and 2:40:17, respectively.
The Malaysian events served as the official preliminary selection for the 2027 SEA Games marathon squad. Defending champion Yeow Ni Jia secured his title with a personal best of 2:33:52, while Lai Yi Hng and Tan Huong Leong finished second and third, respectively. Malaysian newcomers like Esther Joy Chen Hong Li made their marathon debuts, with Chen winning the national title with a time of 3:05:22.
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