Copenhagen Marathon 2011 start
Mårten Boström wins Copenhagen Marathon 2011 in 2:21:44.
Finland’s Mårten Bostrom came to the city of Copenhagen with an ambition of a qualifying time for the Olympics and the ideal of winning the race.Due to the windy conditions on the day the aim of going at a time of 2:15 was rearranged to go through 21km in 68:30.
Even this task was to prove to difficult in the windy conditions which seem to be into the face of the athletes at every turn on the course.
Boström ran solo, as early as 20km and continued to work hard on his own when a city marathon victory was always on the cards. His tenacity to work hard despite his lead was testament to an athlete who gave as good as he got against the elements.
His winning time of 2:21: 44 is laudable considering the conditions and one hopes he gets an opportunity to crack the qualifying time before the Olympic Games as he showed a perseverance and determination which will put him in good steed for when he takes a crack at the target.
Britain’s Mark Warmby (now aka Whitby) provided the early pace and both he and Kevin Quinn (of Real Runners) commented on the difficulty of being up against the wind during their bout of fighting the elements.
Greece’s Dimosthenis Evaggelidis ran a superb race to capture 2nd place in 2:24:28 . What made this achievement more outstanding was the fact that he ran a Personal Best, something that a few of the Top 50 athletes were able to register.
Denmark’s Anne- Sofie Pade Hansen was able to record a stunning victory over Women’s pre-race favourite Tegla Loroupe of Kenya to win in a time of 2:45:29. The two were locked together in battle until the final kilometer when the Dane made her move going over the bridge. Loroupe, the former World Record holder with a time of 2:20:43, was unable to respond and was happy to hold on for as long as she did after suffering with stomach problems as early as 15km into the race.
The win was a fine result Pade Hansen, being a victor in this race for the 3rd time, the knowledge of the course certainly stood her in good steed when she attacked when she did to go on to a comfortable victory after being locked in a battle for the whole of the race.
Loroupe had spent the week in Copenhagen having meetings with various dignitaries including the Crown Prince, all in the name of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation.
Author: Gavin Doyle
A further race report in detail plus gallery to follow
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