Ethiopians dominate Xiamen Marathon

Ethiopian runners swept the top three spots in both men's and women's events at the Xiamen Marathon here on Sunday.

Dejene Debela, placed fourth in 2017 Eindhoven Marathon, claimed the men's title in 2 hours 11 minutes and 22 seconds. His compatriot Fatuma Sado Dergo won the women's crown in 2 :26:41, reports Xinhua news agency.

Over 30,000 runners from 42 countries and regions took part in the first IAAF Gold Label Road Race of the new year as the organising committee has invited 25 high level athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Belarus, the US and Lithuania for the annual event.

The runners challenged the heavy rain pouring down throughout the course. With the last edition encountering the rainstorm 12 years ago, the organising committee switched the event from March to January in 2008.

"The weather is not good today and it is different from my country. It is very difficult to run in such big rain. Today is not a good time to run for better result, so I did not push myself too much," said Debela, the 22-year-old men's champion.

Tariku Bekele finished in 2:11:29 for the runner-up, while the 2017 Dubai marathon champion Ayele Abshero was placed third in 2:11:33.

In the women's race too, the Ethiopians proved their dominance with a comfortable top-3 finish.

Fatuma Sado Dergo won the crown in 2:26:41. Hirut Alemayehu, 25, hit the finish line in 2:30:09 for the second place and defending champion Meseret Mengistu Biru was ranked third in 2:30:15.

--IANS

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