Delhi delight

1. Dieudonne Disi (RWA) 60:43 2. Isaac Macharia (KEN) 60:48 3. Dickson Marwa (TAN) 62:02 4. Patrick Mbuvi (KEN) 62:03 5. Wilson Kiprotich (KEN) 62:04 6. Matthew Koech (KEN) 62:29 7. Philip Rugut (KEN) 62:58 8. Festus Langat (KEN) 63:08 9. John Kibowen (KEN) 63:0910. Tsegaye Gebrselassie (ETH) 63:16 Dieudonne Disi beat defending champions Francis Kibiwot and 2005 winner Philip Rugut both of Kenya to claim the 3rd edition of Vodafone Delhi Half-Marathon race on Sunday.Rwanda’s long distance icon took his second victory in the space of a week with an excellent run. He also won the Reims half marathon race in France a week before. The 27 year old, who is enjoying the form of his life won $20000.He crossed the tape in a time of 60:43 ahead of Kenyans Isaac Macharia and Tanzania’s Dickson Marwa who finished second and third respectively.But he could as well have luck to thank for his victory after his main rival and defending champion Kibiwot dropped out.Disi went into the race with a personal best of 59:32 which he attined at this year’s World Road Running Championship in the Italian city of Udine where he finished sixth.Kenya’s Rugut who won the inaugural edition in 2005, led the field at the initial stages before countrymen Wilson Kiprotich and Isaac Macharia took over around the 10 Km mark. In an e-mail to Times Sport, Disi said that he was happy after winning one of the world’s richest half-marathon races. This year’s edition had a total cash prize of $160000 for winners in both male and female categories.‘I am really happy and I dedicate this victory to my motherland (Rwanda),’ Disi said adding that this triumph has steered him to continue hunting for more silverware in every event he takes parts in.He also noted that he wants to use these competitions as preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games in China.His manager Ricky Simms of the Pace Sports Management wants the former APR star to take part in one of the big European end of season events and test himself against the world’s best.Ends

Lifestyle

Delhi delight