Kenyans finish 1-2 in Seafair Marathon this morning

BELLEVUE — For Edward Kiptum and training partner Bethuel Cheruiyot, it's all about altitude.

The duo made quick work of the new, hillier Virginia Mason Team Medicine Seafair Marathon route Sunday, crediting their training in the high altitudes of their native Kenya.

Kiptum edged his teammate by 33 seconds with a winning time of two hours, 20 minutes and 28 seconds for his second marathon victory.

Nearly 5,000 runners crossed the Evergreen Point floating bridge on foot during the half and full marathons, starting at Husky Stadium and ending at Bellevue Downtown Park. It was the first time a race had crossed the 520 bridge since 1984.

Wendy Terris, of Milwaukie, Ore., finished in 2:50:55.4 for first among the women, just shy of a minute faster than Romanian Claudia Colita.

It was very hot and very hilly, but a good race, said Kiptum through broken English. "At the 24th mile we were together, and then I started accelerating because I know when we reach the home stretch anyone can win." Not that Cheruiyot minded. The 25-year-old was just pleased to be tested by a hilly course in his first-ever marathon in preparation for flatter courses. Kiptum and Cheruiyot, who call each other brothers, grew up and continue to train in rural Kapsabet, Kenya, a virtual breeding ground for marathon runners, including four-time Boston Marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot, Betheul's first cousin. "Hes the one who uplifted me from the ground," Cheruiyot said of his cousin, with whom he also trains. "I hope to be like him." Kiptum and Cheruiyot were born into families of corn and tea farmers, and Cheruiyot is using his $1,000 in prize money to help fund his brothers and sisters' educations. "They need money from me for their schooling," Cheruiyot said. "My parents rely on me very much." Terris, who picked up her second victory of the year on the womens side, pulled ahead of Colita after the 24th mile. The pair had run together since the start. "I didnt think I would win because [Colita] had run faster two times already this year than I did," Terris said. "I thought second or third would be good." Terris picked up negative splits running faster in the second half than the first for the first time in her career. Terris has competed in 49 marathons in 18 states, but the Seafair was her first in Washington state. "I'm glad I started running hills in practice," she said. "They were brutal. Where they're placed in the second half is bad." Colita, who is nine years younger than Terris, said Terris was stronger and the course was a test of her strength. "You cannot look nice after a marathon," Colita said. "You have to suffer. Just like if you're going to be a pretty lady, you've got to suffer."