Geay breaks marathon record

TANZANIAN Gabriel Geay has set the national marathon record after winning a silver medal in the 2022 Valencia Marathon clocking 2 hours and 03 minutes on Sunday.

Apart from breaking a national record, he improved his personal best time from two hours, four minutes, and fifty-five seconds that he recorded in Italy last year during the Milano Marathon.

The Italian marathon record he achieved became the national record, so he has broken his record.

Following his success, his coach Francis John lauded Geay’s achievement, but he urged him to work harder and improve further his personal best time.

“It is a perfect time, and it is the national record. Geay has shown growth but can improve further by practising harder.”

On Sunday, the 26-year-old long-distance runner proudly waved the national flag over the weekend after picking the second position in the 42km marathon, finishing behind a 23-year-old Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who won the men’s race in two hours, one minute, and fifty-three seconds.

At third, Alexander Mutiso of Kenya clocked two hours, three minutes, and twenty-nine seconds, also on debut, for third.

With the mark, Kiptum finished the race, making him the third-fastest marathon runner and a new course record.

According to the World Athletic website, Gabriel Geay, in 2022, positions third as the world’s fastest marathoner, behind Eliud Kipchoge with two hours, one minute, and nine seconds and Kiptum at second.

The World Athletic website also ranks Geay 24th in the world.