Ethiopia's Gashaw Melese was second and countryman Tariku Jufar third.
Despite bagging the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last year, Kenyan John Kelai lamented the absence of spectators along the route in the capital because of security reasons. He said the mass participation in Mumbai boosts the morale of the elite runners and the cheering of the crowd along the route gives them fresh impetus.
Two-time champion and Delhi Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Kelai of Kenya will be the cynosure of all eyes in the upcoming Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, to be held on January 16. Kelai, who triumphed in the men's event in 2007 and 2008, is expected to face stiff competition from 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze winner Tesfaye Tola of Ethiopia, Oleg Kulkov of Russia besides compatriots Kiprono Just Kipchirchir and Evans Rutto.
The Indian half-marathoners complained of being treated unfairly during the Mumbai Marathon.
The fifth Mumbai Marathon has enhanced its prize money to USD 2.4 lakh and has attracted 40 of the world's top 100 marathoners.
Kenya's Kenneth Mungara won the Mumbai marathon in a record time of 2 hours 11 minutes and 59 seconds on Sunday morning. His timing eclipsed countryman Daniel Rono's time of 2: 12.03 seconds, set in the 2006 edition of the event. David Tarun, also of Kenya, finished second in 2:12.02 seconds, while 2007 and 2008 winner John Kelai placed third with a timing of 2: 12.03 seconds.
Defending champion John Kelai will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Kenyan would be aiming to make it a hat-trick of victories in the 2009 edition of Mumbai Marathon, to be held on January 18.
Ram Singh Yadav missed a chance to confirm his qualification at the Beijing Olympics as he missed the cut by three seconds at the Mumbai Marathon.
Defending champion John Kelai of Kenya and twice winner Mulu Seboka won the men's and women's titles respectively in the Mumbai Marathon, while Ramsingh Yadav emerged the fastest Indian runner.
The Kenyan elite runners said they faced a lot of problems in their preparation for the run due to the ongoing crisis in their country.
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