Abebech Afework wins Rotterdam Marathon

Rotterdam, The Netherlands –Abebech Afework of Ethiopia won the 2014 Rotterdam Marathon here today.

Afework had problems with a drinking bottle that fell to the ground in the early stages of the race. She had to stop to pick it up, lost contact with the leading group, and was almost two minutes behind the leaders at 30km.

However, slowly she got back in touch with the women in front of her and just under two kilometres from home she passed her compatriot Guteni Shone, who had been leading the field for most of the race.

Afework quickly put a lot of distance between herself and her flagging countrywoman before crossing the line in 2.27.50.

Shone was second in 2.30.23 while Namibia’s Beata Naigambo was third in 2.31.00.

The men’s race was won by Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya.

Read more at: IAAF.org