Cyprian Kotut sets personal best to win Paris marathon 

Cyprian Kotut of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 40th Paris Marathon men’s race, as Kenyan runners pulled off a podium sweep in perfect weather conditions. AP

PARIS — Cyprian Kotut won the Paris marathon on Sunday as Kenyan runners pulled off a podium sweep in perfect weather conditions.

The 24-year-old Kotut, who also won the Paris half-marathon last month, completed the 42.195-kilometer (26-mile) race in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 11 seconds to improve his personal best set last year when finishing runner-up in Milano on his debut over the distance (2:08.55).

Kotut, the younger brother of three-time London Marathon winner Martin Lel, won ahead of Laban Korir and Stephen Chemlany.

In bright sunshine and mild temperatures, the race remained open until the final kilometers. Kotut accelerated with four kilometers left and won alone on the Avenue Foch.

Another Kenyan runner, Visiline Jepkesho, claimed the women’s title, in 2:25.52.