Boston Marathon winner urges IAAF to certify his time as new world record

By JAMES WAINDINewly crowned Boston Marathon winner and the fastest Marathoner on earth Geoffrey Mutai has urged the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to certify his 2:03:02 time as the new world record over the distance.
Mutai, who arrived on Wednesday night to a low key reception where he almost sneaked out un noticed, said the Boston course was equally tough and saw no reason why the global body did not recognise the times achieved at the marathon.
Debate has escalated since the two-time Eindhoven Marathon winner and Monaco winner posted a time 57 seconds better than the recognised 2:03:59 world record held by Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie from the 2008 Berlin Marathon.

Boston Marathon champion (men) Geoffrey Mutai (right) and women’s counterpart Caroline Kilel upon arrival at JKIA, on Wednesday. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]]

"Boston Marathon does not have an easy course and you cannot argue that it is better than the other courses. In fact, it is tough er than orther courses I have competed in," said Mutai.
Not disappointed "I am, however, not disappointed by the rule and it has instead encouraged me to work harder and I believe I can record a better time if I train harder," said Mutai who was accompanied by compatriot Caroline Kilel, who won the women’s race during Boston Marathon in 2:22:36.
He added: "It was amazing that I have been trying to get the best time in many occassions in vain and I could not believe it when I crossed the finish line. The weather was bad, we started faster and the race became even fatser at the halfway mark, with my colleague Mosop pushing me the entire distance."
He said the World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain, helped in his Boston Marathon preparations greatly and contributed to his impressive times.
"In mind, I was not having any idea of breaking the world record in Boston. It was a tough competition and the event has never had such a field before. When we started, we started moving faster and after ten kilometres, we started even going faster," he recalled.
Mutai said if Kenyan athletes had selfbelief, they would easily set the marathon world record which has been previously held by Paul Tergat who clocked 2:04:55 in 2003 in Berlin.
"Kenyans do not trust themselves and depend on others tactically during races. They can do better if they have self belief," said Mutai who is not keen for the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Meanwhile, Kilel who posted a personal best of 2:22:38, said training on hilly terrain in Kericho saw her gain the ultimate advantage in the sprint for the tape.
"I am very happy with my achievement as it was my first attempt in Boston Marathon. I won the race in the last kilometre. I am now eyeing to run 2:20:00," said Kilel.