Sajith’s champions make a clean sweep at the national marathon

by Reemus Fernando

Marathoners trained by Sajith Jayalal made a clean sweep in the men’s category at the national marathon held at Gampaha on Saturday, while Madumali Perera another trainee of the reputed long distance coach became just the third Sri Lankan to have finished the women’s race under two hours and 50 minutes.

It was a huge accomplishment for Madumali Perera, who clocked two hours, 49 minutes and 14 seconds to win the women’s title.

With her outstanding timing, Perera joins US based national record holder Hiruni Wijeratne and Olympian Geethani Rajasekara as the only Sri Lankan athletes to have completed the grueling distance under two hours and fifty minutes.

Sajith Jayalal

Incidentally, her impressive performance has come at a time when none of the marathoners are included in national pools to obtain sports ministry support for nutritional needs.

Wathsala Herath who is also trained by Sajith Jayalal finished second in the women’s race. She clocked two hours 54 minutes and 11 seconds, while Dilhani Liyanage returned a time of two hours, 57 minutes and 28 seconds to finish third.

The men’s marathon witnessed one of the fastest aggregates by the top three as training partners produced a close finish with Thala Warige Rathnapala winning his debut marathon in a time of two hours, 25 minutes and 49 seconds. Former champion Dhammika Anurasiri ( 2:26.08) and Sisira Kumara (2:26.58) finished second and third respectively.