Over 300 Runners Compete in Palau’s 2nd Omal Marathon
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau – Japhet Rono and Jane Wanjiru Muriuki, both won full marathon, are from Kenya and traveled to Palau to compete in the 2nd Omal Marathon. More than 330 people, including international marathoners, elementary school students, and members of the public, took part in the “Omal” marathon last Sunday.
Despite windy conditions, the event saw a strong turnout, with participants supported by police officers, state rangers, medical personnel, and volunteers who worked together to ensure a successful marathon.
The Omal Marathon featured four categories: a full marathon of 42 kilometers, a half marathon of 21 kilometers, a 10-kilometer race, and a 5-kilometer race. Male and female winners were recognized in each category.
The 5-kilometer race, which had 215 participants, was won by Adonis Rally with a time of 25:03.8 in the men’s division, while Ke Yujuan took first place in the women’s division with a time of 32:33.8.
In the 10-kilometer race, Peace Adaba claimed victory in the men’s category with a time of 43:26.6, and Shiho Nagai won the women’s race with a time of 51:26.3. This category saw 75 runners compete.
The half marathon, featuring 34 runners, was won by Jason Seid in the men’s division with a time of 1:52:47.4, and Christina Muller Karanassos in the women’s division with a time of 1:53:37.3.
The full marathon had 13 competitors. Japhet Rono won the men’s race with a time of 2:43:06.5, while Jane Wanjiru Muriuki won the women’s race with a time of 3:05:41.0.
The Omal Marathon course was measured and certified by Jarrod Gibson, a World Athletics road race course measurer for Oceania Athletics.