Kenyan athletes dominated Sydney's annual City to Surf road race Sunday which was marred by the death of a runner.
Laban Chege won his second consecutive race, clocking 40 minutes 24 seconds, 21 seconds outside Australian Steve Moneghetti's 1991 record.
Chege led home countrymen Godfrey Kiprotich and Simon Kisimili ahead of a 50,342 field.
"It was a tough run and the record is not easy to beat. I ran my best and couldn't get close," said Chege who won last year's race in 40min 27sec. "I hope to come back next year and try for three in a row and maybe the record but it will be hard to break."
The Kenyans set out at the start as a group followed by Australian Olympic marathon runner Rob de Highden who finished fourth, 1min 11sec behind the winner.
The race was marred by the death of a 30-year-old man who suffered a heart attack and struck his head heavily as he fell, a police spokesman said.
More than 80,000 spectators lined the 14km route – (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
