Kenyans reign in Miami Marathon. Women’s winner sets course record, then gets IV fluids
Kenyans swept the main event Sunday at the Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, and despite the 91-percent humidity, women’s winner Martha Akena set a course record — then immediately crumpled to the pavement while in prayer and was given IV fluids.
Akeno, 27, set a personal best in 2:29:00 — 12 minutes and 30 seconds faster than runner-up Palmenia Agudelo, who trailed by more than two miles.
Jackson Limo, 38, broke away from a pack of seven elite runners at the 10K mark to eventually win in 2 hours 21 minutes 33 seconds. He finished nearly three minutes ahead of runner-up Birhanu Dare Kemal, 35, of Ethiopia (2:24:26).
But it was the women’s race that provided the most drama. Akeno, who was rushed into the medical tent, came out feeling as good as she can ever remember.
“I was surprised to run 2:29 in Miami because it’s too hot and humid,’’ said Akeno, who nonetheless couldn’t stop smiling. By the time she finished, temperatures had risen to the low 70s. “I feel really happy. This is a new life for me in running. This time here in Miami will give me a lot of opportunities.’’
The previous women’s course record of 2:34:11 was set in 2006 by Hiromi Ominami, then 30, of Japan.
Akeno and Limo were part of a combined starting field of 12,502, about 70-percent of them in the half marathon, according to marathon co-founder and chief running officer Frankie Ruiz. The field was limited to 15,000 registrants.
“I trained very hard when I got the opportunity for Miami because last year was a very bad year for me,’’ Akeno said. “I got a hip injury and was so upset.”
Chasing men
Akeno left the rest of the women’s field behind as soon as she started, and said she was “trying to chase men so I could run with them.’’ But the men were also too slow. Her time was fourth best among combined men’s and women’s participants.
She said she’ll give some of her $6,500 prize money to family members, who raise sheep, camel and donkeys in Eldoret, where she lives in the Rift Valley region. The rest of the money, which includes a $2,000 course-record bonus from Life Time, will go to an orphanage “because my heart feels like sharing with other people.’’
Limo, who is married and has a 3-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, earned $4,500 for his victory. He also is from Eldoret and will use the money to help support his hardware business. His wife grows corn, potatoes and other vegetables on their land.
“It was hard for me to run alone,’’ Limo said. “But it’s a very nice course. Big Buildings, many big ships. People were singing, clapping, cheering — very welcoming.’’
Surgeon takes third
Finishing third overall in 2:26:11 was Jordan Tropf, 30, a fourth-year resident orthopedic surgeon at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Tropf was one of the seven leaders through the first 10K, and led for much of it. “I was like, ‘What’s going on guys?’’’ Tropf said, laughing. ‘This is not where I belong.’”
Runner-up Kemal, who lives in Denver and trains in Colorado Springs, left the others behind at Mile 16. He said he ran Houston last month, finishing 14th overall in 2:16:42 and was still feeling the effects.
“I was hot the first half,’’ he said. “After 16 miles I felt I have the power.’’
The sun had not yet risen Sunday, when thousands of energized bodies in front of the FTX Arena took off down Biscayne Boulevard at 6 a.m. for the 20th running of the event. The 26.2-mile full marathon course headed over the MacArthur Causeway into Miami Beach and then over the Venetian Causeway and back into Brickell and Coconut Grove before returning to a festive finish near Bayfront Park.
Conditions at the start: 68 degrees with 91-percent humidity and 5 mph winds.
Half marathon
The 13.1-mile half marathon men’s winner: Cesar Lizano, 39, of San Jose, Costa Rica, in 1:10:14.
The half marathon women’s winner: Lisa Brooking, 34, of West Vancouver, Canada, in 1:20:19.
“This is magical,’’ Brooking, a critical care nurse and CEO for Healthcode Medical, said of the overall experience. “The energy, the vibe — the whole city is involved. Miami knows how to deliver. I heard the mayor was here, you see first responders, you see volunteers, fantastic people supporting all along the course. The city really gets behind the race — that’s unique.’’
Thousands of spectators packed the stairs leading to the arena or lined Biscayne Boulevard hoisting hand-written signs for their favorite participants. The Freedom Tower across the street was bathed in red lights. The countdown began, flare guns were shot by officials, air horns sounded and the enthusiastic, not-yet-sweaty participants began their journeys with small steps until they could find enough room to spread out.
Ruiz, 43, who helped create the even when he was just 23, used the word “awesome” to describe the event, which, except for a virtual version, was not run last year. “We got no rain,’’ he said, laughing, “so that’s always a good thing from a production standpoint. Overall, you could feel the excitement at the finish line, this sense of urgency to get things going again.
“The runners, after being out for 700-plus days, felt it today.’’
This story was originally published February 6, 2022 at 6:28 AM.
