Alphonse Simbu runs second in Shanghai Marathon as Philimon Kipchumba sets new winning record

Tanzanian athlete, Alphonse Simbu has finished second in the Shanghai Marathon 2023 having covered the 42 kilometers distance in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 39 seconds, according to Shanghai Daily.

The Marathon was won by the Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba who created a new record of 2:05:35 for the Shanghai Marathon. Kipchumba beat Simbu with just four seconds.

The women’s crown went to Siranesh Yirga Dagne from Ethiopia, who finished the race in 2:21:28. She was followed by Kenya’s Selly Chepyego Kaptich (2:21:55) and Bahrain’s Eunice Chebichii Chumba (2:22:20).

Jacklin Sakilu the Tanzanian lady athlete finished in the eighth position by 2 hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds. She thus qualifies for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

A total of 38,000 athletes from all over the world participated in the event held on Sunday, 26 November 2023.

The previous record was created by Kipchumba’s compatriot Paul Lonyangata in 2015. They completed the 42-kilometer race in 2:07:14. This is also the best men’s record among all marathon events in China.

“This is my first visit to Shanghai,” said the 25-year-old Kenyan. “The course is beautiful and the weather is just perfect, helping me to create a new record.”

Kipchumba won the USD 55,000 top prize, and an extra USD 20,000 for creating the new record.

Another Kenyan runner Solomon Kirwa Yego (2:05:42) finished third in the Shanghai Marathon.

Wu Xiangdong, on the other hand, became the first Chinese runner to finish the race, clocking 2:11:53.

He was followed by 2020 Shanghai Marathon winner Jia E’renjia (2:11:58). Wu and Jia placed 9th and 10th respectively in the overall men’s standing.

The finish line of this year’s marathon made a return to the renovated Shanghai Stadium. Runners crossed the finish line at the torch square before entering the stadium to pick up medals and after-race supply bags.

According to the organizers, about 12 percent of the runners are from overseas. Among the Chinese runners, more than 10,000 of them are from out of Shanghai.

Danish runner Tor Ronnow is among the six overseas runners who took part in this year’s Shanghai Marathon under a new International Tourism Partner (ITP) project.

The project combines tourism and marathon, providing accommodation, pre-race route inspection, and city tour services for overseas runners.