Ajith Bandara wins Colombo Marathon

Kenya’s Kimwei wins women’s title:

Bernard Perera

The ninth annual Colombo Marathon organised by the Lanka Sports Reizen in association with the Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation, Ministry of Education and the Tourist Board concluded yesterday in Negombo.

The event which began from Colombo had a participation of over six hundred from various categories inclusive of over fifty foreign runners. Germany’s Dr. Elgarr who made his appearance in his 100th marathon was awarded with a special token for his participation.

The American Ambassador in Sri Lanka Robert Blake who is a keen follower of these kind of marathons was seen participating in the Colombo Marathon for the second successive year competing in the fun event with many other expatriates and foreigners. The full marathon saw H.R. Ajith Bandara win the event clocking a time of 2:25.21 secs.with R.M.I.A. Ratnayake and D.M.P.

Bandara following as runners up. Meanwhile the women s Open race saw two runner’s from Kenya Evelyn Kimwei and Oruke Olpher finish the race in the first and second positions with Sri Lanka’s M.K.K.A. Kumarasinghe finishing behind these Kenyans. Half marathon for Veterans was won by K.E.N. Silva with a time of 1:34.24secs. The race for women in the same category was won by S.H.R. Silva who was the sole competitor. She timed 2:08.43 secs.

for the event. Meanwhile the winner in the half marathon for men was Krishmanee Selvakumar who clocked 1:12.00secs. with K.H. Asanka Premalal and Kasun Mihiraj following as runners up.

Velo Kushanthi timed 1:40.36secs for the half marathon for women, her closest rivals in this event were D.M.A.S.M. Delgoda and E.P.D.S.Ranjani Prematilleke who had to satisfy with second and third positions. B.g.D.K. Ekanayake was the winner in the 10 km race for women She was followed y P. Basnayke and V.R.J. Kumari. In the same race for men it was Pathum Thushara Jayasinghe who aged the medal.

H.M.S.H.K. Bandara and Chirantha D.M.D. Chamalee were the winners in the 5km Fun event for men and women respectively. The winners in the men ‘s and women’s Open Races were awarded medals, certificates and air tickets sponsored by the national carrier SriLankan Airlines.

The winner received Rs. 250,000 while the first and second runners up carried away Rs. 150,000 and 100,000 respectively while there were also cash prizes ranging from 50,000 to 5,000 to runners placed to tenth position. Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge who was the chief guest gave away the awards.

Fun Race 5km: Men 1. H.M.S.H.K. Bandara, 2. G.H.A.S.I. Wickramarartne, 3. K.A.N.M. Jayakody

Women: 1. C.D.M.D. Chamalee, 2. Ranisha Achini, 3. Upamali Chiranthika

Fun Race 10km: Men 1. P. Thusahra Jayasinghe, 2. G.P.R. Prasanna, 3. E.G.G. Jayasinghe

Full Marathon: Women 1. Evelyn Kimwei (Kenya) 3:00.39, 2. Oruke Olpher (Kenya) 3:15.16, 3. M.K.K.A. Kumarasinghe (Sri Lanka) 3:15.51

Fun 10km: Men - 1. B.G.D.K.Ekanayake, 2. P. Basnayake. 3. V.R.J. Kumari

Half Marathon: Veterans 1. K.E. Newton Silva, 2. W. Ariyawansa, 3.. H. D. Thilakasiri

Women: 1. S.H.R. Silva

Half Marathon: Men

1. Krishamanee Selvakumar, 2. K.H. Sanka Premalal, 3. Kasun Mihiraj

Women: 1. Velo Kushanthani 1:40.36secs, 2. D.M.A.S.M. Deelgoda, 3. E.P.D.S. Ranjani Premathilleke

Full Marathon: Men 1. H.R. Ajith Bandara 2:25.25, 2. R.M.I.A. Ratnayake 2:29.33, 3. D.M.P. Bandara 2:32.25