Kenyan runner Paul Eyanae has won back-to-back Perth Running Festival marathons with a courageous performance to overcome illness.

The 38-year-old tea and coffee farmer from Iten in Kenya’s Rift Valley was nearly eight minutes off the course record he set last year as he had to stop twice to be treated for stomach issues.

Eyanae won in 2 hrs 24mins 21secs, nearly three minutes ahead of local Matt Smith (2:27:19) and Perth-based Filipino runner Karlos Acquino (2:31:17).

Eyanae’s time last year was 2:16:43.

Kellen Waithira made it a Kenyan double with victory in the women’s marathon in 2:38:52.

The 38-year-old was more than three minutes ahead of Sydneysider Abigail Nordberg who finished second in 2:42:15.

Fellow NSW runner Jane Fardell filled the final spot on the podium in 2:49:45.

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