Date: Monday, 19 March 2018
In extreme winter weather conditions Mohammed Nurhussein from Eritrea won the Utrecht Science Park Marathon. In a cutting cold east wind he outwitted Yekeber Bayabel from neighboring Ethiopia in the final sprint on the Cambridgelaan. David Cherop from Uganda was third, ahead of Jackson Rutto from Kenya. The winning time of Nurhussein was 2.18.34, two seconds before Bayabel (2.18.36). Cherop crossed the finish line in 2.19.40, Rutto walked 2.21.21. Best woman in the marathon was the Romanian Maria Magdalena Veliscu (3.01.31).
The four African men of the NN Running Team left on a schedule between 2.14 and 2.16, but when leaving the city of Utrecht in the direction of Bunnik from kilometer 8 against the wind on every kilometer, they gave 10 seconds on the schedule, according to Jurrie van der Velden, athletes manager of Global Sports Communication: "From the Ledig Erf it was five kilometers right in the wind to Bunnik. And that was of course in the second round. Elsewhere it was more turning and turning and could not get the most out of wind. "
Van der Velden about the race: ,, After the hare on 22 kilometers got out, David and Jackson initially headed. From kilometer 31 (on the open road in the direction of Bunnik, ed.) Yekeber went off fast. Mohammed could still join, but the other two boys came running from that moment alone. "
A satisfied meeting director Arjen de Ruyter spoke about 'an arctic edition': ,, It went very well, and with a fantastic final sprint between two men from Africa. I have spoken to many happy people. They came from six continents. With the cold it was actually best to do. "
Jos Hermens, director of Global Sports Communication, was full of praise for the participants: ,, I have a lot of respect for everyone. It is a matter of running three, four or five hours in this bizarre cold with a wind chill of minus 7, minus 8. Next year we promise better again. "
The half marathon became a prey for Koen Raymaekers, the experienced marathon runner from Cothen. He remained on the line in the end eight times ahead of his teammate Hellas Utrecht Guus Reijngoud (1.09.38 for 1.09.46). The Swedish Josefin Gerdevag was the fastest woman (1.20.12).
Today there were also the 10 RTV Utrecht kilometers, the ROC Midden Nederland 5 kilometers and for children the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital 1km and 1.7km on the program.
Nevertheless, this year again a large number of fanatical participants started at the Cambridgelaan. Along the 21-kilometer course, the almost as fanatical spectators encouraged the athletes. Winner of the entire marathon is Mohammed Nurhussein from Eritrea. He passed the finish with a time of 2: 18.34.
