INQUIRER Sports

TAIPEI ? Kenyan runners defied a severe sandstorm to win both the men's and women's titles in the Taipei Express Marathon Sunday, organizers said.

Henry Cherono crossed the line in two hours, 24 minutes and seven seconds, ahead of Taiwan's Chiang Chieh-wen, who clocked 2:27:37.

Cherono's compatriot Evelyne Kimuria won the women's title in 2:53:06.

Cherono's time was slower than his personal best of 2:12:11 and the Taipei Express's record of 2:16:41, set in 2005 by his compatriot David Kariuki.

Cherono said his run was hampered by strong winds that covered northern Taiwan in clouds of yellow dust, according to a statement released by the Chinese Taipei Road Running Association.

More than 1,500 people competed in the 42.2 kilometers (26.2 miles) event, while nearly 7,500 others took part in the half-marathon and other events.