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Kenya\u2019s Fanny Kiprotich pulled a surprise move at the 43rd edition of the Vienna City Marathon held on Sunday (19) in Vienna, Austria. In fine but increasingly warm weather conditions Fanny Kiprotich of Kenya won the race with 2:06.53, improving his personal best by more than four minutes. Pre-race favourite Oqbe Kibrom of Eritrea had to settle for second with 2:08:11 while Kenya\u2019s Charles Mneria was third in 2:08:43.<\/p>\n
Andreas Vojta was the fastest Austrian runner in ninth place with 2:15:07 while Eva Wutti was the fastest national woman. She finished 10th with 2:42:37.<\/p>\n
There was a major upset early in the race for the Austrian spectators hoping to see a national record. Aaron Gruen, who surprisingly ran a national best of 2:09:53 last year in the US, suddenly stopped running and dropped out before the half way mark. The leading group was already well past that mark with a split time of 63:06. While the pace was no longer fast enough with regard to the 2:05:08 course record and the two pacemakers dropped out after 25k four runners were fighting for victory: Kiprotich, Kibrom, who was the fastest in the field with a PB of 2:05:37, Charles Mneria and Ethiopia\u2019s Tafese Delegen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At around 28k Fanny Kiprotich, who was the underdog in the leading group, moved ahead. Only Oqbe Kibrom was able to close the gap and the two then passed 30k in 1:30:14. When Kiprotich made a second surge with around ten kilometres to go he built a decisive lead. \u201cI was confident, because I was well prepared. My training was very good. I hope to improve significantly again in my next race,\u201d said the 24 year-old Kiprotich, who is still a newcomer to international road running. The Kenyan had only run one marathon before: He won in Tallin last year with 2:11:21.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n