SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) — Edwin Kipsang Rotich of Kenya won the 89th edition of the prestigious Sao Paulo international road race Tuesday to retain his title.

Last year’s men’s race saw an all-Kenyan podium with Rotich besting Joseph Aperumoi and Mark Korir.

And Rotich again dominated as he gave the Kenyans their sixth title in the past 11 editions, timing 43min 48sec for the 15km around the streets of central Sao Paulo.

This time he bested Korir by 21sec with Stanley Koech third at 41sec for a second straight Kenyan one-two-three.

Rotich’s time was 36sec off the event mark at this distance set in 1995 by five-time winner Paul Tergat.

Knowing the course from last year made his task easier, Rotich said.

Another Kenyan, Nancy Kipron, took the honours in the women’s race, winning in 51min 58sec to succeed Maurine Jelagat Kipchumba as the Kenyans completed another double triumph.

Kipron saw off Ethiopia’s Netsanet Gudeta and Tanzania’s Jackline Juma to add to her Rio half-mararthon success last August.

A record 27,500 runners participated in Brazil’s oldest street race as well as what is generally regarded as the main international event in the Latin American athletics calendar.

The first Sao Silvestre was held in 1925 — just 48 racers turned up — but women only began competing in 1975.