Mike Kigen, Linet Masai win Madrid’s Road Race

By Bernard Okumu

Kenya’s Mike Kigen and Linet Masai produced commanding wins at Madrid’s San Silvestre Vallecana, Road Race, on Thursday.

Kigen successfully defended his men’s title on the 10km course in 27 minutes and 35 seconds, the fourth fastest time in the history of the race and just eight seconds short of his personal best set in Berlin in 2010.

USA’s Evan Jager crossed the line in 28 minutes 54 seconds with Illias Fifa two seconds adrift in third position.

Kenya’s Ezekiel Kemboi, the multiple 3000m steeplechase champion, finished down in disappointing 21st place.

The women’s event was dominated by   2013 winner  Linet Masai who went on to clinch the race in 31 minutes and 38 seconds.

France’s 2014 European 10,000m silver medalist Calvin Clemence was second while  Poland’s Iwona Lewandowska completed the podium in 32 minutes 53 seconds.