Levy Matebo was the fastest. (picture belga) Watch the item on ASICS Runners TV   Take a look at the pictures

The marathon runners took a raging start after the race set off from the Cinquantenaire. The Kenyan pace-makers Levy Matebo and Philip Kangogo produced such a speed that only his compatriots William Suparimuk and Kenneth Kiprono Korir were able to follow, as did the Belgian Frank Bollen.

Kangogo was dropped at the front rather quickly. The four leaders topped the first 5 km in 15:45. Gino Van Geyte followed 15 seconds later, Koen Neven and Vincent Ternet at half a minute.

After the Bois de la Cambre, about 10km into the race, Bollen, Matebo, Kiprono Korir and Suparimuk already were 42 seconds ahead of Geyte, who was joined by Neven. There Kangogo followed at one minute already, a trio consisting of Gregory Faille, Vincent Ternet and Vlademir Tonchinski at 1:50 and Kris Moernaut at 2:13.

Kenyans outshine field in Belgian capital
Halfway through the race three Kenyans were still ahead, Bollen had been dropped, his pace-making job was over. Van Geyte and Neven were still the first ones chasing, at nearly three minutes. After 21km Faille already was 4:24 behind, followed by Tonchinski, Ternet and Kangogo.

In the second part of the race the Kenyans started to accelarate one after the other. Suparimuk had to let go and Matebo tried to get away on his own. Initially Kiprono Korir managed to return, but on the strenuous Tervurenlaan he was dropped for good.

The 20-year-old Matebo kept a steady pace and won the race in 2:13: 30. Ultimately Kiprono Korir had to give in 3'21. The third Kenyan, Kenyan Suparimuk, completed the podium at 8:46 of the winner.

Behind the Kenyans an exciting battle for the Belgian national title took place between Gino Van Geyte and Koen Neven. Geyte claimed fourth and finished in 2:23:24, Neven finished two seconds later. Gregory Faille took (Belgian) bronze.

In the women's category victory was taken by Mariska Dute. The Dutch runner completed the course in 2:59:16. Carline Deseyn finished second in 3:03:32 and became Belgian champion, beating Marijke Guillemeyn (3:06:54). Linda Vanlommel took bronze there.

The Brussels Half Marathon was won by Abdeljebbar Sihammane in 1:09:24. Sebastien De Witte won the Mini Marathon in 11:39 over 4 km. In the Weekend Knack Ladies Run Celine Lafame was the fastest in 14:41.

MATEBO: "NOT BAD FOR FIRST MARATHON"

Levy Matebo: "Actually, I started as a pace-maker'

Visibly Levy Matebo had dug in deep in the final stages of the marathon. "To my own surprise, I still managed to run a negative split. Actually, I started as a pace-maker, this result is not bad for a first marathon (laughs). The course was beautiful, but heavy. I did not expect those climbs in "flat" Brussels."

Gino Van Geyte lived up to his role of main contender for the Belgian Championships. "I did fear for my Achilles tendon though. As a precaution I had not been running since Wednesday. Towards the end I noticed I was slightly better than Koen, but I was only sure when I crossed the finish line. One never knows what happens towards the end of a marathon."

Brussels Marathon

Men: 1. Levy Matebo (2h13:30) 2. Kenneth Kiprono Korir (2h16:51) 3. William Suparimuk (2h22:16) Women: 1. Mariska Dute (2h59:16) 2. Carline Deseyn (3h03:32) 3. Marijke Guillemeyn (3h06:54)

Brussels Half Marathon

Men: 1. Abdeljebbar Sihammane (1h09:24) 2. Giovanni Paris (1h10:05) 3. Abdessamad Asri (1h10:48) Women: 1. Ysabelle Vuillard (1h22:36) 2. Samanthe Woodward (1h26:55) 3. Virginie Soenen (1h28:11)

Mini Marathon 4 km

Men: 1. Sebastien De Witte (11:39) 2. Brieuc Vandeleene (11:49) 3. Arnaud Van Vracem (12:10) Women: 1. Aurelien De Mees (15:30) 2. Salvador Ferrandis (17:45) 3. Alison Collins (18:04)

Knack Weekend Ladies Run

1. Céline Lafame (14:41) 2. An Van Hove (15:43) 3. Catherine Troch (16:08)

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