Ethiopia’s Etagegn Woldu wins Lisbon Half Marathon

Battling high winds, Kenyan Erick Kiptanui and Etagegn Woldu of Ethiopia prevailed in their respective races at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label road race, on Sunday.

Women’s Race

In the women’s event, which started 15 minutes before the men’s, also had seven women in contention through the first 17 kilometres in the front. Woldu then took the lead, upped the tempo and ran to a 1:11:27 win, improving her personal best by three minutes.

“I expected to race under 68 minutes, but the strong wind didn’t allow it,” the 21-year-old sai. “I’m happy for this win and I hope run faster in my next race.”

Belainesh Oljira followed in 1:11:29 with Helen Bekele Tola, the fourth place finisher at September’s Berlin Marathon, third in 1:11:33 to round out the podium for Ethiopia.

Mimi Belete of Bahrain was fourth in 1:11:38 with Kenyan Magdalyne Masai fifth in 1:11:49 to repeat her position from last year.

The weather conditions forced organisers to change the course for the mass race from the south to the north bank of the Tagus river to avoid crossing the 25 of April Bridge, an iconic feature of the race.

Leading results:

Women –
1. Etagegn Woldu, ETH, 1:11:27
2. Belainesh Oljira, ETH, 1:11:29
3. Helen Bekele Tola, ETH, 1:11:33 
4. Mimi Belete, BRN, 1:11:38 (Ethiopian-born)
5. Magdalyne Masai, KEN, 1:11:49
6. Sofyia Shemsu, ETH, 1:11:50
7. Hiwot Ayalew, ETH, 1:11:56
8. Pasalia Chepkorir Kipkoech, KEN, 1:13:24
9. Kellys Arias, COL, 1:15:27
10. Filomena Costa, POR, 1:16:43

Men –
1. Erick Kiptanui, KEN, 1:00:05
2. Yohanes Gebregergish, ERI, 1:00:16
3. Morris Munene Gachaga, KEN, 1:00:17
4. Nicholas Kosimbei, KEN, 1:00:21
5. Atsedu Tsegay, ETH, 1:00:28
6. Zersenay Tadese, ERI, 1:00:29
7. Alexander Mutiso, KEN, 1:00:31
8. James Wangari, KEN, 1:00:49
9. Noah Kipkemboi, KEN, 1:00:52
10. Birhan Nebebew, ETH, 1:00:53
11. Kipkemoi Kiprono, KEN, 1:00:56
12. Edwin Kibet Koech, KEN, 1:00:57

Read more at: IAAF.org