Kipruto wins Frankfurt Marathon in Kenyan sweep

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Vincent Kipruto led a Kenyan sweep of the top five places at the 32nd Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday.

In wet and windy conditions, the 26-year-old Kipruto edged debutant Mark Kiptoo by one second in a sprint to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 16 seconds.

"He was strong, so I had to watch him and decided to wait until the final moment with my attack," Kipruto said. "The goal was to run sub 2:05. But I am still happy."

Elijah Kemboi was third in 2:07:34, followed by Jacob Chesari and Albert Matebor.

Feyisa Bekele of Ethiopia was the fastest non-Kenyan, finishing more than 3 minutes behind Kipruto.

It was the 12th consecutive time the Frankfurt marathon was won by a Kenyan. The adverse weather ensured Wilson Kipsang's 2011 course record of 2:03:42 remained safe.

Caroline Kilel gave Kenya the victory in the women's race too. The 2010 winner finished in 2:22:34, ahead of compatriot Flomena Chepchirchir and Birhane Dibaba of Ethiopia.

"I wanted to run 2:21, but with the wind and rain, this wasn't possible," Kilel said. "But I am very happy, because I managed to improve my personal best by two seconds. It was my second race in Frankfurt and my second personal best here. I want to come back in 2014."

Altogether, 14,964 runners from 96 nations entered the marathon.