Ethiopian Women dominate Istambul Marathon

Istambul, Turkey – Ethiopian women athletes, led by Koren Jelela, dominated the 34th Vodafone Istanbul Eurasia Marathon here on Sunday when they took the top four spots.

Koren Jeleta won the race in 2:28.05 followed by compatriots Amane Gobena (2:28.38), Turkish-Ethiopian Sultan Haydar (2:29.41) and Alemitu Abera (2:30.14).

The men’s race was an all-Kenyan affair as Stephen Chebogut (2:11.05), Kiprotich Yegon (2:15.34) and Evans Kiplagat (2:16.42) took the top 3 spots. Megersa Bach of Ethiopia finished fourth in 2:20.10.

Women’s race –

Women’s race turned out to be tactical affair between four – an Ethiopian trio and Turkey’s Sultan Haydar, 25, an Ethiopian-born race walker and distance runner, who set a personal best of 2:25:09 at the Paris Marathon earlier this year.

Haydar’s birth name is Chaltu Girma Meshesha.

Jelela, who arrived with a 2:22:43 PB from her win at the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon and a 2:28:05 season’s best from the London Marathon, staked her claim for the win from the start, taking charge and maintaining her lead through the finish.

WOMEN –

1. Koren Jelela, Ethiopia    2:28:05

2. Amane Gobena, Ethiopia    2:28:38

3. Sultan Haydar, (Turkey/Ethiopia)  2:29:41 

4. Alemitu Abera, Ethiopia   2:30:14

5. Ummu Kiraz, Turkey      2:36:15

MEN –

1. Stephen Chebogut, Kenya   2:11:05

2. Kiprotich Yegon, Kenya    2:15:34

3. Evans Kiplagat, Kenya     2:16:43

4. Megersa Bacha, Ethiopia      2:20:10

5. Nicholas Kemboi, Qatar     2:20:40