Powering down Diamond Head Road with less than a mile remaining, Chepkirui broke away for good, crossing the finish first in 2:28:34. Lucy Karimi finished second in 2:28:55, followed by Isabella Ochichi in 2:29:44.

“I won again and I feel happy. This was a great win today,” said Chepkirui. “It was my plan, because on Wednesday I said I want to run 2:28 and I made it. I am so happy.”

Filex Kiprotich stayed patient through the early stages before unleashing the winning move in the men’s race.

At the 30-K aid station, Kiprotich took all by surprise by stepping on the gas pedal. In the blink of an eye he held a ten second lead over his competitors.

“When I was at 30-K I planned to break the course record so I decided to go,” said Kiprotich. “I kept going.”

Kiprotich came up nearly a half minute shy of the event record, finishing in 2:11:43. Wilson Chebet placed second in 2:12:46 followed by Daniel Limo (2:13:24).

“The weather was not bad but the course is too hard! When I was at 35 (kilometers), the course was difficult. There were a lot of hills,” he said.