A record number of runners, volunteers and supporters participated in the Yoma Yangon International Marathon 2015 (YYIM) held in Myanmar’s commercial capital on January 11.
More than 4,100 runners were involved in the third edition of Yangon’s only road race and the nation’s largest marathon event to date, organised by Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd, First Myanmar Investment Co Ltd and Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC).
The first of the four race categories, the 42.195km Full Marathon, was flagged off at Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium at 5am by U Myint Swe, chief minister of Yangon Regional Government.
Winning the men’s Full Marathon for the third consecutive year, Joseph Gitau Kariuk from Kenya finished with a timing of 2 hours 22 minutes 46 seconds (02:22:46). Finishing second was Muindi Onesmus with a timing of 2 hours 23 minutes 19 seconds (02:23:19) while Collins Kipkorir Kimosop came in third with a timing of 2 hours 33 minutes 56 seconds (02:33:56) – both runners are also from Kenya.
Mary Wangui Kiguru from Kenya finished first in the Women’s Full Marathon with a time of 2 hours 48 minutes 04 seconds (02:48:04). Myanmar’s Myint Myint Aye came in second place with a time of 2 hours 59 minutes 07 seconds (02:59:07) and Carolyne Jepkosgei Mitei from Kenya took third spot with a time of 3 hours 05 minutes 07 seconds (03:05:07).
In the 21km Half Marathon, Kenyan runner David Mutai came in first place with a time of 1 hour 07 minutes 43 seconds (01:07:43). Nyi Nyi Aung did Myanmar proud by finishing third in the category with a time of 1 hour 22 minutes 05 seconds (01:22:05).
In the Women’s Half-marathon, Jackline Musyawa Nzivo from Kenya finished first with a time of 1 hour 22 minutes 30 seconds (01:22:30).
In the Men’s 10km Challenge, Paul Kimani Wambui led the field and claimed first place with a time of 32 minutes 44 seconds (00:32:44) to earn the US$800 prize money. Meriem Gray form Uzbekistan came in first in the Women’s 10km Challenge, recording a time of 52 minutes 49 seconds (00:52:49).
