Aberu Kebede wins Berlin Women Marathon

Berlin, Germany – Aberu Kebede of Ethiopian won the 39th BMW Berlin Marathon women category here yesterday in 2:20.30. She was followed by compatriot Tirfe Tsegaye (2:21.19 and Olena Shurhno of the Ukraine (2:23.32.

The men’s race was dominated by Kenyan athletes, who took the first 8 spots. Geoffrey Mutai re-established his claim to be the world’s best men marathoner by finishing first in 2:04.15, just one second ahead of Dennis Kimetto.

The 39th BMW Berlin Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

WOMEN

The women’s race was more straightforward and also ended in a one-two for training partners, the Ethiopians Aberu Kebede and Tirfi Tsegaye.

Kebede won here in wind and rain in 2010. The contrast in conditions could not have been more marked. Both races began in bright sunshine at 9am, but with a perfect temperature of 10C (48F), rising to 14C(55F) by the finish, with little wind to hinder progress.

Though she was accompanied well past halfway, when Kebede surged ahead of her colleague after 30km, she went on to win as easily as two years ago, albeit some three and a half minutes faster, and in a personal best by three seconds. Tsegaye also improved her best by over 20 seconds, while third placer, Olena Shurhno set a Ukraine national record of 2:23:32.

Results:

WOMEN

1 Aberu KEBEDE ETH 2:20:30
2 Tirfi TSEGAYE ETH 2:21:19
3 Olena SHURHNO UKR 2:23:32
4 Flomena CHEPCHIRCHIR KEN 2:24:56
5 Fate TOLA ETH 2:25:14
6 Alevtina BIKTIMIROVA RUS 2:28:45
7 Caroline CHEPKWONY KEN 2:30:34
8 Anna HAHNER GER 2:30:37

MEN

1 Geoffrey MUTAI KEN 2:04:15
2 Dennis KIMETTO KEN 2:04:16
3 Geoffrey KISANG KEN 2:06:12
4 Nicholas KAMAKYA KEN 2:08:28
5 Josphat KEIYO KEN 2:08:41
6 Josphat JEPKOPOL KEN 2:08:44
7 Jonathan MAIYO KEN 2:09:19
8 Eliud KIPTANUI KEN 2:09:59

Source: IAAF.org