Desta Girma wins 33rd Madrid Women Marathon
Madrid, Spain – Desta Girma of Ethiopia won the 33rd Madrid Women’s Marathon in a modest time of 2:34.39 here yesterday. Compatriot Letay Negash finishes second.ÂÂ
There was a surprise outcome in the women’s section as the pre-race favorite Magdalene Chemjor of Kenya faded dramatically over the last 10 km to finish well behind Desta, who earlier in the year, won the Seville Marathon in 2:34.53,.
To everyone’s surprise Chemjor began to lose ground gradually to leave the head of the course to the Ethiopian pair. It was Desta Girma who proved to be the strongest with 2km left as she romped home unopposed in 2:34:39 and a 19-second ahead of Letay Negash. Justyn Bak of Poland managed a third place finish some 3 minutes behind the winner.ÂÂ
Women Results:
1. Desta Girma (Ethiopia)   2:34:39 2. Letay Negash (Ethiopia)    2:34:58? 3. Justyna Bak (Poland)   2:37:524. Lydia Njeri Mathati (Kenya)   2:38:55
5. Tigist Kifle (Ethiopia)   2:43:31
