Geoffrey and Deepani win Colombo Marathon

Anuradha Abeysekera and Sunil Abeywardana

Prigen Geoffrey of Kenya and local women athlete M. A. R. Deepani (SL Air Force) won the men's and women's 42.196 km full marathon events respectively in the 11th Colombo Marathon yesterday.

Geoffrey finished the race in 02h:28m:08s while Deepani clocked her best timing 02h:57m:28s. Kenyans dominated the mens event and bagged all first six positions.

Kimutai Kenedy (02h:27m:16s) and Kogo Kibetezekiel (02h:32m:12s) won the mens second and third places respectively. Local best runner M. C. G. Kelum who completed in seventh, took 02h:37m:46s to cross the tape. In the women's main race, B. G. L. Bogahawatta of SL Navy (03h:09m:50s) and P. D. Nilani Priyadharshani (03h:11m:35s) followed Deepani in order to finish second and third.

Lanka Sport Reizen conducted the race with the assistance of Sri Lanka Athletic Association and nearly 1000 athletes including runners from 12 foreign countries participated in this year's marathon.

The race proceeded from Colombo to Negombo through Borella, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda, Wattala, Elakanda, Uswetakeiyawa, Pamunugama, Thalahena, Pitipana and Duwa.

Even though few top national level athletes did not participate in the marathon, it has given the opportunity for local runners to compete with strong foreign athletes.

The half marathon which ran for 21.097kms and 10 km fun run events too was conducted where the local participation was prominent. H. M. G. Samankumara (SL Army) who completed the men's half marathon in 01h:15m:05s won the first place, followed by G. D. P. P. Somarathna and M. Sivaraj as second and third.

Women's half marathon champion C. M. Weerakoon (SL Police) took 01h:26m:13s to reach the finishing line while N. W. N. Kumari (SL Navy) was the runner-up and B.D.G.K. Ekanayake won the third place.

Colombo marathon has became very popular event locally and internationally over the years has been considered as a major tourism promotion activity as well.

Sport Ministry, Western Province Tourist Board, SriLankan Airlines, Education Ministry, Youth Affairs Ministry, Negombo Hoteliers Association, and Colombo Municipal Council along with Sri Lanka Tourism supported to make the event a success.