Kenneth Mburu Mungara

Kenneth Mburu Mungara (born 7 September 1973), also known as Kennedy Mburu, is a Kenyan long distance runner who specialises in the Marathon.

He set a personal best in the event at the 2007 Mombasa Marathon, running 2:10:13 for second place behind Peter Kemboi.[1] He won his first major international marathon in 2008, completing the Prague International Marathon in 2:11:06, one minute ahead of second-placed Eliah Sang.[2] Four months later he won the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, upsetting the race favourites John Kelai and Tariku Jufar, and edging out Peter Kiprotich for the victory in 2:11:01.[3]

In January the following year, he won the Mumbai Marathon and his time of 2:11:51 was the fastest ever on Indian soil, beating Shivnath Singh's record which had stood since 1978.[4] He managed a third-place finish at the 2009 Prague Marathon,[5] but he was hampered by a knee injury. He recovered in time for the 2009 Toronto Waterfront Marathon and defended his title, finishing in a personal best time of 2:08:31 and breaking the Canadian all-comers' record. He was pleased with, but surprised by, the achievement, stating that he did not believe his manager when he said Mungara could run 2:08. He received a total of 55,000 Canadian dollars in winner's prize money and performance bonuses.[6]

He returned to the Prague Marathon in 2010 but could not repeat his past performances and finished in 2:10:53 for seventh place.[7] He maintained his reputation at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, however, improving his Canadian all-comers record to 2:07:57 for his third consecutive win of the event. When asked whether he was considering one of the large American marathons the following year, Mungara admitted he had already promised to return to Toronto for a fourth attempt.[8] He won at the Singapore Marathon in December, taking the significant first prize of US$50,000.[9] He achieved a fourth straight win at the 2011 Toronto Marathon, although the finish was close between Mungara and Shami Dawit as both recorded the same finishing time of 2:09:51 hours.[10][11]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing  Kenya
2008 Prague Marathon Prague, Czech Republic 1st 2:11:06
2009 Mumbai Marathon Mumbai, India 1st 2:11:51

Personal bests

Event Time (h:m:s) Venue Date
Marathon 2:07:58 Toronto, Canada 26 September 2010

References

  1. ^ Okoth, Omulu (2007-05-27). 2:09:21 Course record for Kemboi at Mombasa Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-09-28.
  2. ^ Prague International Marathon (2008-05-11). Mungara, Yulamanova take Prague Marathon titles. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-09-28.
  3. ^ Gains, Paul (2008-09-28). Seboka Breaks Course Record at Toronto Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-09-28.
  4. ^ Murali Krishnan, Ram. (2009-01-18). Mungara and Kebebush take Mumbai Marathon titles . IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-09-28.
  5. ^ Ivuti clocks 2:07:48 course record in Prague. IAAF (2009-05-10). Retrieved on 2009-09-28.
  6. ^ Gains, Paul (2009-09-27). Mungara Defends in Toronto with Canadian All Comers Record. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-09-28.
  7. ^ Butcher, Pat (2010-05-09). Massive breakthrough for Kiptanui - 2:05:39 in Prague. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-05-22.
  8. ^ Gains, Paul (2010-09-26). Mungara and Cherop take Toronto Marathon titles as Canadian All-Comers records tumble. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-09-26.
  9. ^ Mungara and Kosgei prevail at Singapore Marathon. IAAF (2010-12-05). Retrieved on 2010-12-07.
  10. ^ Note: Mungara's finishing time for the 2011 Toronto Marathon was later rounded down by two seconds to 2:09:51.
  11. ^ Gains, Paul (2011-10-16). Mungara claims fourth Toronto Marathon title. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-10-17.

External links