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nternational runners from Kenya dominated the podium of the 2014 BII Maybank Bali Marathon in all three open categories'€”the full marathon, half marathon and the 10-kilometer (km) run.

In the Sunday race in Gianyar regency, Kennedy Kiproo Lilan completed a hat trick in the event, winning it for the third time since 2012, with a time of 02:18:52, one second slower than his time last year in the full marathon open category for men.

The crowds cheered when Lilan reached the finish line at the Bali Safari and Marine Park, beating his two compatriots Elijah Mwaniki Mbogo and Geoffrey Birgen. The latter two completed the 42.195-km race with times of 02:19:10 and 02:21:53, respectively.

'€œWe'€™re happy with this year'€™s race. It'€™s better than last year, more organized, and there are more water stations along the route,'€ said Lilan, accompanied by Mbogo, after receiving the first prize worth US$17,500 handed over by BII president director Taswin Zakaria.

The full marathon open category for women was also dominated by Kenyans, with last year'€™s runner up Elizaabeth Jeruiyot Chemwen finishing first with a time of 02:47:35.

Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli came in second with a time of 03:06:11. Third place went to Agieszka Sawicz-Orska from Poland, with a time of 03:43:54.

The two champions, Lilan and Chemwen, promised to return for next year'€™s race, as they were impressed by the event, the organization of which they said had improved year on year.

The friendly local environment and comfortable ambience of Bali also impressed them during their stay on the island.

Next month, Lilan will also seek to win the 2014 Kuala Lumpur Marathon for the fourth time since 2011.

In the Indonesian categories, last year'€™s full marathon women'€™s champion Meri M. Paijo retained her crown with a time of 03:03:53, improving on her time of 03:07:37 last year. In second and third place were Supriati Sutono with a time of 03:21:14 and Rumini Sudragni, respectively.

In the full marathon for Indonesian men, Hamdan Saban finished first after completing the race in 02:36:12, beating Nicolas Albinus Sila and young runner Asma Bara.

With '€œPushing the Limit'€ as its main theme, this year'€™s BII Maybank Bali Marathon welcomed 4,464 participants from 49 countries, with most runners from Indonesia.

This year'€™s event was also marked by the participation of 40 competitors in wheelchairs, who completed a 5-km course. One such competitor, Stany Appermont from Belgia, delivered an outstanding achievement by completing the full marathon course.

'€œThis marathon is very special because it is acknowledged by international standards,'€ said project manager Satyo Haryo Wibisono.

'€œWhile in other marathon events the runners run past buildings, in this event they have the unique experience of running through villages,'€ he added.

Held since 2012, the race featured four categories: a full marathon (42.2 km), a half marathon (21.1 km), a 10-km run and a children'€™s sprint.

For the full marathon, half marathon and 10-km run, there was an open category and an Indonesian category. In this race, participants competed for total prizes worth $150,000, which were divided between 88 winners.

The BII Maybank Bali Marathon recently gained recognition from the US'€™ Boston Marathon, with the full marathon route in Gianyar regency being incorporated into the Boston Marathon'€™s official directory.

This means runners achieving a certain time in the Bali Marathon will be eligible to enter the 2015 Boston Marathon.