Blazing to Marathon Victory: from Kenya to Connemara to Belfast

Blazing to Marathon Victory: from Kenya to Connemara to Belfast

galway.net , 06 May 2003

The tough route of the Fintrax Connemara International Half-Marathon 2003 proved to be an excellent training ground for Kenyan runner Lezan Kimutai, who has just won the Belfast Marathon in a time of 2:19:09. It was the fastest marathon time in Belfast since Marty Deane set the record over the old marathon course in 1985.

Lezan attracted a lot of attention in Ireland over a month ago when he came first in the Fintrax Connemara International Mens Half-Marathon in a time of 1:11:26

Lezans winning formula can be attributed to months of intensive training at altitude in the mountains of Eldoret in Kenya and a diet rich in complex carbohydrate. The Kenyans eat ugali, a derivative of the maize crop which is high in complex carbohydrate and provides energy for their rigorous training programme.

Lezan, an employee of Kenyan Railways, is going from strength to strength having also won the Laganside 10k race in Belfast in April of this year and setting a new course record of 29:09. The Kenyan discovered a new training technique after the Connemara Marathon this year when he learned just how exerting the Siege of Ennis dance can be. To celebrate his win of the Connemara Half-Marathon Lezan danced the Siege of Ennis at the celebration event, impressing many with his enthusiasm for Irish music/culture and endless energy after his gruelling run that day.

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