Ethiopian women athletes dominate Daegu Marathon
Daegu, South Korea – Ethiopian women athletes led by Atsede Habtamu dominated the Daegu International Marathon when they clinched the top 4 spots in the race held here on Sunday.
The race also served as the final test run for the course which will host the Marathons at the IAAF World Championships later this summer.
Men’s Race
In the men’s category, Yusuf Songoka of Kenya finished first in 2:08.08 followed by Abdellah Falil of Morocco (2:08.18) and Leonard Mucheru of Kenya (2:08.53). Haile Gemeda of Ethiopia came in fourth (2:09.20) while fellow compatriot Dereje Raya Tadesse finished tenth (2:10:42).
Women’s Race
It was an all-Ethiopian affair as they took five of the top six spots. Habtamu, already with a fast 2:24:26 personal best this January, sprinted off the group leading at 40km in 2:18:25, just two seconds ahead of Esayias with the other two, Abera and Harun now well behind. Habtamu held on to the lead to set a course record 2:25:52 with last year’s winner Esayias now finishing in runner-up position in 2:26:04, more than three minutes faster than her previous personal best set here last year (2:29:17).
Alemitu Abera was third in 2:26:33 personal best time in only her second Marathon, cutting a huge 14 minutes off her previous PB. Makda Harun was fourth in 2:27:46 and Irene Kosgei of Kenya overtook Rehima Kedir to take fifth place in 2:31:31 with Kedir timed 2:32:11 for the sixth place.
Leading Results:
MEN –
1. Yusuf Songoka, KEN       2:08:08
2. Abdellah Falil, MAR      2:08:18
3. Leonard Mucheru, KEN     2:08:53
4. Haile Haja Gemeda, ETH   2:09:20
5. Felix Keny, KEN          2:09:25
6. Elias Kemboi, KEN        2:09:53
7. Evans Ruto, KEN          2:10:38
8. Dereje Raya Tadesse, ETH 2:10:42
WOMEN –
1. Atsede Habtamu, ETH   2:25:52
2. Yeshi Esayias, ETH    2:26:04
3. Alemitu Abera, ETH    2:26:33
4. Makda Harun, ETH      2:27:46
5. Irene Kosgei, KEN     2:31:31
6. Rehima Kedir, ETH     2:32:11
7. Yuko Machida, JPN     2:32:39
8. Tomo Higuchi, JPN     2:33:48
