Kenya’s Patrick Makau wins Frankfurt Marathon

Kenya’s Patrick Makau crosses the finish line of the Frankfurt Marathon. PHOTO/AP

World record holder Patrick Makau of Kenya won the Frankfurt Marathon in cold and sunny conditions Sunday in a race where each of the top 10 men’s runners hailed from Africa.

Makau crossed the line in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 8 seconds. Makau was hoping to challenge his world-best mark of 2:03:38 set in Berlin 13 months ago. Makau took the lead for the first time with 1:56:40 on the clock after overtaking Deressa Chimsa of Ethiopia, who was second in 2:06:52.

In her marathon debut, Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:21:01, a course record and almost a minute faster than the record set by compatriot Mamitu Daska last year.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press.