Nairobi — Benson Kipchumba Cherono led Kenyans to a 1-2-3 finish in the Milan City Marthon.

Cherono clocked 2:07:58 to make the race the fastest Italian marathon this year. Daniel Cheribo held the previous course record of 2:08:38, set in 2004.

The event, held on Sunday, saw Benson Barus also run under the mark to finish second in 2:08:33. Joseph Ng'eny completed the podium with a time of 2:09:27.

Cherono won last year's Beijing Marathon and this year's Los Angeles Marathon. Brazilian, Frank Caldera, clocked 2:14:05 to finish fourth with the top Ethiopian Assefa Mezgebu coming in fifth timed 2:15:16.

Compatriot Bedye Melaku Kebebew was sixth in 2:16:01. Three designated pacemakers Paul Kimugul (winner of this year's Stramilano), Evans Cheruyiot (second in 59:29 in the Berlin Half Marathon) and Joseph Ng'eny set a fast pace in the first 10km (30:13).

Reigning Olympic and European champion, Stefano Baldini, ran with the leading Kenyan group in the first 23km in an important test, one month before the New York Marathon scheduled for November 5.

The pace setters ran the first 15km in 45:34, closely followed by Barus, Cherono and Baldini. The trio then took the lead at 25km. The three Kenyans ran at a steady pace, the passing 25km mark in 1:15:39 and the 30km in 1:30:50 (3:02 for each km).

At 35km (1:46:06) Cherono and Barus pulled away from Ngeny who was dropped by 8sec. Barus, who was running the first marathon of his career, pushed the pace to launch a first attack at 36km, but Cherono closed the gap.

A neck-to-neck battle between Cherono and Barus ensued in the final few kilometres. Barus tried to kick again at 38km, but Cherono injected a fast split in 2:58 between 40km and 41km, pulling away from Barus.

Cherono increased his lead over Barus to 11sec in the final kilometre to secure the victory. The 22-year-old Kenyan lowered by 42 seconds his previous PB of 2:08:40 set in Los Angeles in 2006.

"I could have run faster. But on the eve of the race I suffered a back problem. When Barus attacked I waited before responding. I am happy with my new PB. The race was nice, it was well organised", said Cherono.

Barus, the 1998 world junior champion in the 10,000m, was also happy with his debut over the distance after a successful road race career which includes three consecutive wins in the famous Giro Podistico di Castelbuono in Sicily (2000, 2001 and 2002).

"I like running in Italy. This year I am focusing my training on the marathon," said Barus.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Askale Magarsa Tafa improved her previous career best winning in 2:27:57 ahead of last year's winner, Hellen Kimaiyo, second in 2:28:51. Kenya's Anne Kosgei clocked 2:32:55 to finish third.