Post date: Apr 22, 2012 6:39:59 PM
ITEN, KENYA (APRIL 22, 2012)(REUTERS) - Bars, cafes and pubs were packed with people in the tiny town of Iten in Kenya on Sunday (April 22) as residents crowed round television sets to see their countrymen and women take the top places in the London Marathon.
A small town in Kenya, reknowned for its distance runners, celebrates as one of its residents takes the honours in the London marathon.
The high altitude village perched on the top of Kenya's Rift Valley is home to some the world's best long distance runners including several of the male and female entrants in the London race.Last year Kenya won all six of the World's major marathon titles putting them in a strong position to take gold in this year's Olympics.
Sunday's marathon in London was tipped to be one of the best races ever for Kenya with leading contenders jostling for top spot in the hope of securing a place on the country's Olympic marathon team, still to be announced.
In the end, Kenyans took the first two places in the men's race and the top five in the women's race, won by Iten resident Mary Keitany.
Wilson Kipsang won the men's event in two hours 4 mins 44 seconds with compatriot Martin Lel second in 2:06:51.
Keitany won the women's race in 2:18:37, leading home Edna Kiplagat, Priscah Jeptoo, Florence Kiplagat and Lucy Kabuu.
As the race got underway, the market place in the centre of Iten was virtually empty as the community abandoned their usual Sunday routines to watch the runners battle it out on the international stage.
The women's race brought the loudest cheers in Iten as Keitany crossed the line.
"I knew Mary Keitany would win because she is my neighbour, we normally train with her," said Philip Cheruiyot afterwards.
Kenya's athletics body is due to announce final selection of its men and women's Olympic marathon team on April 30th.
But while Kipsang and Keitany's double victory in London is expected to guarantee them a slot, some say Kenya's runners are all so strong, any of their chosen runners will be in with a chance of going home with gold in August.
"We cannot say because Kipsang has won London marathon that he will win the Olympics. I think maybe else someone else, someone new can come and win. But hopefully, I have so much hope that Kenya will take away many medals," said Johana Kariankei, another resident said.