Kenyan Athlete Edwin Kipchumba and Ethiopia's Zerife Boku were the fastest contenders at Marathon Sofia's 31st edition held on Sunday, October 12.

Kipchumba went through the 42.195 km in 2:19.06 h. He came first after closing in on other participants and taking the lead just in the last 5 kilometers.

Boku, who had been considered most likely to win, was first among the women with a time of 2:40.53 h.

Shaban Mustafa was the fastest Bulgarian, ranking seven with 2:25:01, according to the sports website Gong.bg.

Sofia Mihaylova, who has scored victory in the marathon a total of seven times, finished fourth with 2:58.51.

Some 279 people from 35 countries took part in the race.

The winners will receive BGN 5 000 each and a BMW electric bike at roughly the same value.

Kenyans and Ethiopians also topped the 2-5 places in the men's rankings.

The event met some criticism for putting athletes on an equal footing with non-professionals.