Kipserem Claims First Abu Dhabi Marathon Crown

Marius Kipserem declared himself delighted with his winning run in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Marathon after he set a new personal best.

The Kenyan came home first in a time of four hours, four minutes and four seconds, beating his previous best marathon time by over two minutes.

Fellow countryman Abraham Kiptum was second, while Ethiopian Dejene Debela was third, but it was Kipserem who took the headlines as he won his seventh marathon out of 15 recent attempts.

The 30-year-old said he felt the course and conditions suited him perfectly and revealed afterwards he is unlikely to be back in action in another marathon until April.

He said: “I would rate this marathon as my best win so far. I have achieved a personal best time and also to be the first winner in Abu Dhabi, a record nobody can take it away.

“It was a fast course and the race was very good. It was very much to my liking. Abu Dhabi being the final race of the year, now I plan to take a break and prepare for my next marathon, perhaps around April.

“I’ll be targeting to be 100 per cent again when I’m back for my next race because you just can’t keep running throughout the year. The recovery time is important, so by April I think I will be ready for my next marathon.”