Mokoka and Tufa smash course records in Shanghai

Stephen Mokoka claimed his second victory on the bounce at the 19th Shanghai Marathon while Tigist Tufa lowered her lifetime best to a world-class 2:21:52 to break the women’s course record

Stephen Mokoka from South Africa retained his title at the 19th Shanghai Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, while Tigist Tufa from Ethiopia made a step-up into world class territory with a 2:21:52 PB in the women’s race on Sunday (2).

Tufa, who also won the Ottawa Marathon in May, first came to note at this stage last year. She led the New York Marathon into the second-half but the 27-year-old faded in the final ten miles and finished eighth in 2:29:24.

The Ethiopian, whose older sister Mestawat has a 2:26:20 marathon PB, lasted the distance this time. She crossed the finish-line in 2:21:52 to move up to eighth on the 2014 world rankings.

Read more at: WorldRunning.com